This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

 Yet whenever your people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times!

“You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen. 30In your love, you were patient with them for many years.

Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve you, though you showered your goodness on them. You gave them a large, fertile land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.

36“So now today we are slaves in the land of plenty that you gave our ancestors for their enjoyment! We are slaves here in this good land. 37The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our livestock. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery.”

“We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”

Lord God my Father,

This is a sacred day that I was never promised. Thank you for the opportunity before me. Give me strength to overcome the strongholds that I continue to struggle with and bring your angles close to protect me from poor decisions. Make me new this day and cause the desire to honor you to the front of my thoughts. I wish to remove all strongholds I carry so I may honor you completely.
In Jesus name I pray,

Amen