A PRAYER FOR PASSION SUNDAY

Isaiah 50

⁷ Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
   I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
   and I know I will not be put to shame.
⁸ He who vindicates me is near.
   Who then will bring charges against me?
   Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
   Let him confront me!
⁹ It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
   Who will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
   the moths will eat them up.

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,

You help me

Even when I don’t ask

Even when I am proud and full of myself

Even when I have spoken or acted before thinking or waiting or praying.

You help me

I believed I was alone

No one beside me

No one behind me

No one at my back

You help me

When I have fallen

You pick me up

When I am wounded

You heal me

When I am surrounded

You rescue me

You help me

⁸ He who vindicates me is near.
   Who then will bring charges against me?

You protect me

Standing in the dock

I am not alone

Standing on trial

I am defended

Standing in court

I am pleaded for

You protect me

Though the tide breaks over me

You save me

Though the mountains fall upon me

You shelter me

Though the storms toss me about

You anchor me

You protect me

When accusations come

You answer them

When charges are made

You acquit me

When lies are whirled

You fortify me

You protect me

Therefore have I set my face like flint,
   and I know I will not be put to shame.

Because you stand beside and dwell within me

I can say and preach those Gospel words that you lay upon my heart

Because you stand beside and dwell within me

I can be strong in the face of temptation and resist the evil one

Because you stand beside and dwell within me

I can lead my people up to the Mountaintop and find a way across the desert

Because you stand beside and dwell within me

I will face into the swirling winds and know you plant me where I cannot be moved.

Amen.