adapted from Psalm 22…
Our God, Our God,
why have you abandoned us?
Why are you so far away when we groan for help?
Everyday we call to you, our God,
but you do not answer
Every night we lift our voices, but we find no relief.
Yet you are holy;
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced
Our Critics ask, “Is this the one who relies of the Lord?
Then let the Lord save them!
If the Lord loves them so much,
let the Lord rescue the,!”
Yet you brought us safely
from our mother’s wombs
and led us to trust you
at our mother’s breasts.
We were thrust into your arms at our birth.
You have been our God from the moment we were born.
Do not stay far from us,
for trouble is near,
and non one else can help us.
Our lives are poured out like water
and all our bones are out of joint.
Out hearts are like wax,
melting within us.
O, Lord, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
We will proclaim your name
to our brothers and sisters.
We will praise you among the assembled people.
Praise the Lord, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence,
all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He had not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.
We will praise you in the great assembly.
We will fulfill my vows in
the presence of those who worship you.
The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
The whole earth will acknowledge
the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations
will bow down before him.
For royal power belongs to the Lord.
He rules all the nations.
Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.
Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear
about the wonders of the Lord.
His righteous acts will be
told to those not yer born.
They will hear about
everything he has done.