12/24/10
Dear Jehovah God,
All of them are hot like an oven, and they consume their rulers; and their kings have fallen, none of them calls on You.
Where now is our king that he may save us in all our cities, and our judges of whom we requested, “Give me a king and princes”?
But the King of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea, who had sent messengers to So King of Egypt and had offered no tribute to the King of Assyria, as he had done year by year; so the King of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison.
We have set up kings, but not by You; we have appointed princes, but You did not know it. With our silver and gold, we have made idols for ourselves that we may be cut off.
… and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to Jehovah.
And there is none who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us, and have delivered us into the power of our iniquities.
No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. We trust in confusion, and speak lies; we conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
And You searched for a man among us who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before You for the land, that You should not destroy it; but You found no one.
But You will surely hide Your face in that day because of all the evil which we do and we will do, for we turn to other gods.
So, when we spread out our hands in prayer, You will hide Your eyes from us, yes, even though we multiply prayers, You will not listen. Our hands are covered with blood.
In an outburst of anger, You hid Your face from us for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness You will have compassion on us, says You our Redeemer.
You are my God and my King and Jesus Christ Your Son is my king. I do have a king that You set us, Your Anointed. May I be one who calls on Your name, who arouses me to take hold of You. Please do not hide Your face from me, and deliver me from my iniquities. May I be one who sues righteously and plead honestly. Do not let me trust in confusion or speak lies. Do not let me conceive mischief or bring forth iniquity. May I build up a wall and stand in the gap before You for the land, that You should not destroy it.
Please do not hide Your face because of all the evil which I do or which I will do, for when I turn to other gods. I am sorry. I do not know which way to turn. So, when I spread out my hands in prayer, do not hide Your eyes from me, no, even though I multiply prayers, listen to me. My hands are covered in blood.
Do not hide Your face from me but with everlasting lovingkindness have compassion on me. You are my Redeemer. Amen, Amen, and Amen.