God Almighty creator of heaven and earth

We beseech you

On bent knee we kneel before you wearing sackcloth and ashes on our head

Our garments are torn and our hearts are broken

We have sinned against your creation

Now the flames of our idolatry consume all that lives in your garden

Let us take refuge under your wing from the glowing embers       

Anoint the scorched earth with tears from the heavens

The night sky has been rouged with the anger of the cosmos

Smoke rises from a groaning creation and puts out the stars

Our souls have been singed by the temptations of evil

We quake in fear on a fleeing foot from death and destruction

Deliver us from this land of terror and grief

Our sighs are a song sorrow

You are the rock on which we built a temple filled with hope

The temple has burned

Hope has been sacrificed on the altar of our selfishness

Our bones have been dried by the heat of greed

You have abandoned us to ourselves

We cry out to you

Save us

The roar of fire deafens our cries

Oh God of Israel hear our pray.

Amen

Roxanne G. Sperry 9/17/2020