Isaiah 64

Prayer for Mercy and Help
Oh, that You would tear open the heavens and come down,
That the mountains would quake at Your presence—
2 As fire kindles brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—
To make Your name known to Your adversaries,
That the nations may tremble at Your presence!
3 When You did awesome things which we did not expect,
You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence.
4 For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear,
Nor has the eye seen a God besides You,
Who acts in behalf of one who waits for Him.
5 You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness,
Who remembers You in Your ways.
Behold, You were angry, for we sinned,
We continued in our sins for a long time;
Yet shall we be saved?
6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
And all of us wither like a leaf,
And our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.
7 There is no one who calls on Your name,
Who stirs himself to take hold of You;
For You have hidden Your face from us
And have surrendered us to the power of our wrongdoings.
8 But now, Lord, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter,
And all of us are the work of Your hand.
9 Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord,
Nor remember wrongdoing forever.
Behold, please look, all of us are Your people.
10 Your holy cities have become a wilderness,
Zion has become a wilderness,
Jerusalem a desolation.
11 Our holy and beautiful house,
Where our fathers praised You,
Has been burned by fire;
And all our precious things have become a ruin.
12 Will You restrain Yourself at these things, Lord?
Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?   

Reflection Questions

1. What does this passage teach us about God?

2. What does this passage teach us about ourselves?

3. How do you think we are supposed to respond to this passage?

4. What are you excited to share with others?

Pray whatever the Lord lays on your heart as a result of this passage.


“I think for many of us, getting an x-ray is uncomfortable. It isn’t that they necessarily hurt, but they can reveal truth we’d rather just ignore or deny exists. But, the information an x-ray provides is helpful and, in some cases, lifesaving. It reveals a problem that needs to be addressed. For me, Isaiah 64 is an x-ray passage. It reminds me of the reality of sin and rebellion that exists in the heart of all mankind. But, it also offers hope. For it reminds us that God welcomes the one who joyfully does what is right (v. 5). In Christ, the disease can be eradicated. My brokenness can be restored. I can be comforted and confident that if I confess my sin He is faithful and righteous to forgive my sins and cleanse me for all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).” — Pastor Pete 

“The soul of devotion lies in realizing the divine presence, in dealing with God as a real person, in firm confidence in His faithfulness – that is, to take hold of him.” — Charles Spurgeon