Lent 26

Lord and God,

Many and well armed were the enemies of Israel, yet you triumphed over them all. Their chariots oppressed us, but in a moment you gave them over to destruction. Why did it take twenty long years of misery to cry out to you? Truly we are fools through their sinfulways, and because of our iniquities we suffer affliction; but we cried to him above princes, stars, angels, gods, every kind of power.

Lord, there is a worse fate than all these things for those who come to the end of life’s long struggle and do not call upon you. Forgive us when we look down on those who suffer now, as though their sins were worse. For it was not you who were unwilling to gather us; we do not call upon you in our distresses. Let your trials drive us to you. Let us consider you the savior in every affliction, even those we bring upon ourselves. Let us consider the steadfast love of the Lord.