Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

O Holy God, you know what leads to life and godliness. Your wisdom is beyond any knowledge or skill of people. There is no problem too great or complex for you! By your grace, you have given us your commandments and instruction in Scripture to provide us as a people and a nation clear guidance on how to live in ways that honor you. We have been given the clear opportunity to follow you. Yet we have forsaken your ways. We have ignored your teaching. You offered to lead us, but we have chosen to go our own way. You possess infinite wisdom, but we have made our own plans. You have all power, yet we have chosen to deal with life’s challenges in our own strength. As a result, we have no peace. O Lord, forgive us today for forsaking your ways. Would you guide us as a people to return to you and your ways. Would you cause us to embrace your commandments and see that they are always for our good? Would you lead this nation to remember the days when we followed you and you blessed us? Help us to return to you so that we experience once again your peace and see our land covered in righteousness. In the strong name of Jesus we pray – Amen.