The Prayer of Azariah - Biblical (Apocrypha)

Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers,
and worthy of praise; and your name is glorified forever.
For you are just in all you have done to us;
all your deeds are true, all your ways right,
and all your judgments truth.
You have executed true judgments in all that you have brought upon us and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our fathers; for in truth and justice you have brought all this upon us because of our sins.
For we have sinned and broken your law in turning away from you; in all matters we have sinned grievously.
We have not obeyed your commandments,
we have not kept them or done what you commanded us for our own good.
So all that you have brought upon us,
and all that you have done to us,
you have done in true judgment.
You have given us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful rebels, and to an unjust king, the most wicked in all the world.
And now we cannot open our mouths;
shame and disgrace have befallen your servants and worshipers.
For your name's sake, do not give us up forever,
and do not break your covenant.
Do not withdraw your mercy from us,
for the sake of Abraham your beloved and Isaac your servant and Israel your holy one,
to whom you promised to make their descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand on the shore of the sea.
For we, O Lord, have become fewer than any nation,
and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins.
And at this time there is no prince, or prophet, or leader,
no burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense,
no place to make an offering before you or to find mercy.
Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted,
as though it were with burnt offerings of rams and bulls,
and with tens of thousands of fat lambs;
such may our sacrifice be in your sight this day,
and may we wholly follow you,
for there will be no shame for those who trust in you.
And now with all our heart we follow you,
we fear you and seek your face.
Do not put us to shame,
but deal with us in your forbearance
and in your abundant mercy.
Deliver us in accordance with your wonderful deeds,
and bring glory to your name, O Lord.

The Prayer of Azariah lyrics found in the Greek additions to the Book of Daniel represent a communal confession of sin and a desperate hope in God's covenant. Azariah prays that their sacrifice of a contrite heart be accepted in place of temple offerings. By singing the Prayer of Azariah lyrics the congregation enters into a spirit of deep repentance acknowledging that even in the most extreme trials God's justice is perfect and His mercy is the only refuge for the repentant soul.