Azariah stood in the heart of the fire,
praying aloud thus:
Do not abandon us for ever,
for the sake of your name;
do not repudiate your covenant,
do not withdraw your favour from us,
for the sake of Abraham, your friend,
of Isaac, your servant,
and of Israel, your holy one,
to whom you promised
to make their descendants
as many as the stars of heaven
and as the grains of sand on the seashore.
Lord, we have become the least of all nations,
we are put to shame today throughout the world,
because of our sins.

We now have no leader,
no prophet,
no prince,
no burnt offering,
no sacrifice,
no oblation,
no incense,
no place where we can make offerings to you
and win your favour.

But may the contrite soul,
the humbled spirit,
be as acceptable to you
as burnt offerings of rams and bullocks,
as thousands of fat lambs:
such let our sacrifice be to you today,
and may it please you
that we follow you whole-heartedly,
since those who trust in you
will not be shamed.
And now we put our whole heart
into following you,
into fearing you
and seeking your face
once more.
Do not abandon us to shame
but treat us
in accordance with your gentleness,
in accordance with the greatness of your mercy.
Rescue us
in accordance with your wonderful deeds
and win fresh glory
for your name, O Lord.