Chapter 9 6. A Prayer of Humiliation and Contrition—Ezra had the true spirit of prayer. Presenting his petition before God for Israel, when they had sinned grievously in the face of great light and privileges, he exclaimed, “I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God; for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.” Ezra remembered the goodness of God in again giving his people a foothold in their native land, and he was overwhelmed with indignation and grief at the thought of their ingratitude in return for the divine favor. His language is that of true humiliation of soul, the contrition that prevails with God in prayer. Only the prayer of the humble enters into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (The Signs of the Times, February 19, 1885).{3BC 1135.1}

Kapitel 9

6. En brødebetyngelsens og ydmygelsens bøn.--Ezra havde denne sande ånd til bøn. Idet han bragte sin anmodning til Gud, for Israels skyld, da de havde syndet frygteligt over for det store lys og privilegierne, så udbrød han: "Jeg skammer mig og blues ved at opløfte mit ansigt mod dig, min Gud; for vore synder er gået os over hovedet, og vore overtrædelser er vokset op i himlen." Ezra huskede på Guds godhed og gav atter sit folk et fodfæste i deres hjemland, og han blev overvældet af vrede og sorg over at deres utaknemmelighed over at vende tilbage til den guddommelige gunst. Hans sprog er af sand sjælsydmygelse, den anger som hersker hos Gud i bøn. Kun den ydmyges bøn går ind i Herren af Sabot's ører. (ST Feb. 19, 1885).