Lent 18

Lord and God,

Holy one, mighty in battle, he who cast out 31 kings when there could have been 31,000, who drove out the wicked from his inheritance yet blessed a sinful people with it, you reign.

You call us and we cannot but follow you. Peter cowered before you, realizing your glory, yet you did not hesitate to touch the leper. We can bear neither your absence nor presence. Which is worse, Lord—to be alone with our sins or with them in the presence of the Holy One of Israel? Yet you are no mere Joshua or Moses who can slay the sinner. You are he who can as easily restore our bodies as our souls. We call to you, Father. Answer us, that the forgiving God may lay his vengeance upon he who suffered the cross for us. Help us to glory and exalt in you. You are holy.