Azariah’ s prayer for reconciliation
1 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked around in the flames, singing hymns to God, blessing the Lord.
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While standing and praying in the middle of the fire, Azariah spoke like this:
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Blessed are you, Lord God of our ancestors. You deserve to be praised and honored forever!
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Everything you've done to us is fair. All your actions are right, your ways consistent; all your decisions are sound.
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You judged us fairly in all the things you've done to us and to Jerusalem, our ancestors' holy city. You were honest and fair in doing all these things to us because of our sins.
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We sinned and broke the law by turning from you; we sinned in everything we did.
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We didn't obey your commands; we didn't keep them or do as you ordered us, although the orders were for our own good.
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All that you've brought upon us, all that you've done to us, has been fair.
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You handed us over to our enemies, immoral rebels who hate God's laws, and to an unjust king, the most evil one in the whole world.
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Now there's nothing that we can say. Shame and blame cover your servants and those who worship you.
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For the sake of your own reputation, please don't hand us over permanently! Don't set aside your covenant!
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Don't turn your mercy away from us! Hold to it for the sake of Abraham, whom you loved, and Isaac, your servant, and Israel, your holy one.
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You told them you would give them descendants, as many as the stars of the sky and the grains of sand beside the sea.
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Look, Lord, we have become smaller than any other nation. We are disgraced now in front of everybody because of our sins.
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In this time we have no ruler or prophet or leader, no entirely burned offering or sacrifice, no special gift or incense, no place to bring gifts to you and find mercy.
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Accept us, please, with our crushed souls and humble spirits, as if we brought entirely burned offerings of rams and bulls, as if we brought tens of thousands of fat lambs.
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May this be the kind of offering we make in your presence today, and may we follow you completely, since no shame will come to those who come to terms with you.
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Now we follow you with our hearts, honor you, and seek your presence.
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Don't put us to shame! Instead, deal with us in line with your kindness and great mercy.
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As you have worked wonders before, so rescue us now! Build up your reputation, Lord!
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Let all who mistreat your servants be humiliated. Let them be put to shame and lose all their authority; may their strength be smashed.
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Let them know that you alone are the Lord God, more honored than anyone else in the world.