God’s Word of Prayer
Introduction
Lamentations 3:34-66: Today’s reading is a continuation of a communal lament. The people acknowledge that they have sinned and hope that God will heed their prayers.
Scripture Reading
34The Lord knows when our spirits are crushed in prison;
35He knows when we are denied the rights he gave us;
36When justice is perverted in court, he knows.
37The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.
38Good and evil alike take place at his command.
39Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our sin?
40Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord.
41Let us open our hearts to God in heaven and pray,
42“We have sinned and rebelled, and you, O Lord, have not forgiven us.
43“You pursued us and killed us; your mercy was hidden by your anger,
44By a cloud of fury too thick for our prayers to get through.
45You have made us the garbage dump of the world.
46“We are insulted and mocked by all our enemies.
47We have been through disaster and ruin; we live in danger and fear.
48My eyes flow with rivers of tears at the destruction of my people.
49“My tears will pour out in a ceaseless stream
50Until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees us.
51My heart is grieved when I see what has happened to the women of the city.
52“I was trapped like a bird by enemies who had no cause to hate me.
53They threw me alive into a pit and closed the opening with a stone.
54Water began to close over me, and I thought death was near.
55“From the bottom of the pit, O Lord, I cried out to you,
56And when I begged you to listen to my cry, you heard.
57You answered me and told me not to be afraid.
58“You came to my rescue, Lord, and saved my life.
59Judge in my favor; you know the wrongs done against me.
60You know how my enemies hate me and how they plot against me.
61“You have heard them insult me, O Lord; you know all their plots.
62All day long they talk about me and make their plans.
63From morning till night they make fun of me.
64“Punish them for what they have done, O Lord;
65Curse them and fill them with despair!
66Hunt them down and wipe them off the earth!”
Today’s Key Verse: Lamentations 3:37
The will of the Lord alone is always carried out.
Reflect
What verses express hope and trust in the Lord? What verses in today’s reading resonate with you? What grieves your heart? What will you ask of God today?
Pray
Gracious God, you know my heart and have examined my ways. Trusting in your love and mercy, I turn to you with an open and humble heart and seek your forgiveness for the wrongs I have done. You hear my cries and comfort me with the assurance of your never-ending compassion. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Lamentations 5:1-22: A prayer for God’s mercy.