A Prayer for Israel

The Annotated Apocrypha: 2nd Maccabees 1:24-29

24. The prayer was to this effect: “O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, you are awe-inspiring and strong, and just and merciful, you alone are king and are kind,

25.  you alone are bountiful, you alone are just and almighty and eternal. You rescue Israel from very evil; you chose the ancestors and consecrated them.

26. Accept this sacrifice on behalf of all your people Israel, and preserve your portion, and make it holy.

27. Gather together our scattered people, set free those who are slaves among the Gentiles, look on those who are rejected and despised, and let the Gentiles know that you are our God.

28. Punish those who oppress and are insolent with pride.

29. Plant your people in your holy place, as Moses promised.”