Prayer may be an angry cry for vengeance or a merciful intercession for one’s enemies. It may be the expression of a hope of changing God or the powerful technique of changing one’s self. It may be the cringing plea of a lost sinner before a supposedly stern Judge or the joyful expression of a liberated son of the living and merciful heavenly Father.
Close in 2 of 10 textsLeans toward Shinto oracles
Close in meaning, found by a language model. A match does not mean the teachings are the same.
“O Lord, you who remain forever, whose eyes are exalted, and whose chambers are in the air, whose throne is beyond measure, whose glory is beyond comprehension, before whom the army of angels stand with trembling, at whose bidding they are changed to wind and fire, whose word is sure, and sayings constant, whose ordinance is strong, and commandment fearful, whose look dries up the depths, and whose indignation makes the mountains to melt away, and whose truth bears witness— hear, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, and give ear to the petition of your handiwork. Attend to my words, for as long as I live, I will speak, and as long as I have understanding, I will answer. Don’t look at the sins of your people, but on those who have served you in truth. Don’t regard the doings of those who act wickedly, but of those who have kept your covenants in affliction. Don’t think about those who have lived wickedly before you, but remember those who have willingly known your fear. Let it not be your will to destroy those who have lived like cattle, but look at those who have clearly taught your law. Don’t be indignant at those who are deemed worse than animals, but love those who have always put their trust in your glory. For we and our fathers have passed our lives in ways that bring death, but you are called merciful because of us sinners. For if you have a desire to have mercy upon us who have no works of righteousness, then you will be called merciful. For the just, which have many good works laid up with you, will be rewarded for their own deeds. For what is man, that you should take displeasure at him? Or what is a corruptible race, that you should be so bitter toward it? For in truth, there is no man among those who are born who has not done wickedly, and among those who have lived, there is none which have not done wrong. For in this, O Lord, your righteousness and your goodness will be declared, if you are merciful to those who have no store of good works.”
The prayer was like this: “O Lord, Lord God, the Creator of all things, who are awesome, strong, righteous, and merciful, who alone are King and gracious, who alone supply every need, who alone are righteous, almighty, and eternal, you who save Israel out of all evil, who chose the ancestors and sanctified them, accept the sacrifice for all your people Israel, and preserve your own portion, and consecrate it. Gather together our scattered people, set at liberty those who are in bondage among the heathen, look upon those who are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that you are our God. Punish those who oppress us and in arrogance shamefully entreat us. Plant your people in your holy place, even as Moses said.”
O LORD Almighty in heaven, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous offspring, you who have made heaven and earth, with all their order, who have bound the sea by the word of your commandment, who have shut up the deep, and sealed it by your terrible and glorious name, whom all things fear, yes, tremble before your power, for the majesty of your glory can’t be borne, and the anger of your threatening toward sinners is unbearable. Your merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable, for you are the Lord Most High, of great compassion, patient and abundant in mercy, and relent at human suffering. You, O Lord, according to your great goodness have promised repentance and forgiveness to those who have sinned against you. Of your infinite mercies, you have appointed repentance to sinners, that they may be saved. You therefore, O Lord, who are the God of the just, have not appointed repentance to the just, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against you, but you have appointed repentance to me, a sinner. For I have sinned more than the number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions are multiplied, O Lord, my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of my iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, so that I can’t lift up my head by reason of my sins, neither have I any relief; for I have provoked your wrath, and done that which is evil before you: I didn’t do your will, neither did I keep your commandments. I have set up abominations, and have multiplied detestable things. Now therefore I bow the knee of my heart, asking you for grace. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my iniquities; but, I humbly ask you, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and please don’t destroy me with my iniquities. Don’t be angry with me forever, by reserving evil for me. Don’t condemn me into the lower parts of the earth. For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent. In me you will show all your goodness, for you will save me, even though I am unworthy, according to your great mercy. Then I will praise you forever all the days of my life; for all the army of heaven sings your praise, and yours is the glory forever and ever. Amen.