The book of Lamentations
Chapter 3
¹ I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God's wrath; ² he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; ³ against me alone he turns his hand, again and again, all day long.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 1 to 3)
During moments of great sorrow, I also reasoned in this way my God and Father, I felt that You had turned against me since I had separated from my wife and daughter. However, Your mercy is never-ending, during such moments You showed me that You still love me even though I had to arrive to this decision. I acknowledge myself as a sinner, however, You focus on my positive aspects while I had become stuck on my negative traits. I thank You for not denying me of Your love Amen.
⁴ He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones; ⁵ he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; ⁶ he has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 4 to 6)
Oh God my Father Your plans for us are perfect covering the even the smallest of details, even though at times I do not understand what is going on in my life, I rest assured that whatever happens You are in control and that You have my best interest at heart Amen.
⁷ He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has put heavy chains on me; ⁸ though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer; ⁹ he has blocked my ways with hewn stones, he has made my paths crooked.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 7 to 9)
Oh God my Father, I am more than happy to be Your prisoner. I pray that You block all the ways or plans that will lead me away from You, but on the other hand I pray that You will continue to open doors that lead me towards You Amen.
¹⁰ He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding; ¹¹ he led me off my way and tore me to pieces; he has made me desolate; ¹² he bent his bow and set me as a mark for his arrow.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 10 to 12)
You are my victor lying in waiting to protect me against my enemies. You lead me off my ways in order to place me on better ways that are more to Your liking because they are according to Your will. You break me to pieces in order to restore me according to Your image. I am Your masterpiece on which You are revealing Your masterplan. I thank You my God and Father and as Your canvas I pray that You never stop updating Your plans for me Amen.
¹³ He shot into my vitals the arrows of his quiver; ¹⁴ I have become the laughingstock of all my people, the object of their taunt-songs all day long.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 13 to 14)
Oh God my Father I have also become the laughing stock for I believe in You and have based my life on You and Your teachings and nobody else is going to persuade me not to do so. I am being harassed from all sides however You are my guardian Amen.
¹⁵ He has filled me with bitterness, he has sated me with wormwood. ¹⁶ He has made my teeth grind on gravel and made me cower in ashes; ¹⁷ my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; ¹⁸ so I say, "Gone is my glory, and all that I had hoped for from the LORD."
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 15 to 18)
Oh brothers and sisters God my Father, when my wife left me, I felt as if part of my happiness went with her. I felt down and angry at You my God and Father for permitting this to happen, however today I realize that all happened for my own good Amen.
¹⁹ The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! ²⁰ My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 19 to 20)
Oh God, my Father, the thought of being trapped in this body and being far from my heavenly home is also something that makes me feel like a foreigner on earth, however, in order to survive I need to adapt to this material environment Amen.
²¹ But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: ²² The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; ²³ they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 21 to 23)
Amen Amen what an awesome God and Father I have heaven and earth proclaim Your Holy Name and Majesty Amen. My hope although at times is weak is in You Amen. Forgive me when I did not place my complete trust in You Amen. Thanks.
²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 24)
Amen this is my prayer my God and Father. You are my only hope, refuge and salvation and only in You will I ever place my trust Amen.
₂₅ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 25)
Oh God my Father I thank You for being so close to me. Although I am a sinner I try to start and end my day in prayer and even throughout the day You are always in my heart and spirit Amen. Thanks Jesus for loving me so much Amen.
²⁶ It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 26)
Oh, brothers and sisters, God does not expect extraordinary acts from us in order for us to obtain our salvation. Living our daily lives in faith and facing all of life's challenges and combating our sinful selves is already a great cross to bear and carry, and even that by ourselves is already an impossible task to accomplish. Therefore let us place our faith in God and let His plan for our lives unfold day by day. Let us learn how to thank You God for all that takes place in our lives and be happy Amen.
²⁷ It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, ²⁸ to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, ²⁹ to put one's mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), ³⁰ to give one's cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 27 to 30)
Oh God, my Father, I thank You for times of crisis, for during such times You give me the opportunity of slowing down and reflecting on both the issue and even how it is effecting my spiritual and social life. Thus in such a spirit of meditation, You show me the way ahead and always give me a solution Amen.
³¹ For the Lord will not reject forever.³² Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; ³³ for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 31 to 33)
Oh God my Father now I can confirm that it is not Your will to see us afflicted and burdened. You wish to see us happy and not sad or depressed. I pray for those who are currently passing through a hard time with faith that when it is Your will this period of trial and testing will reach its end Amen.
³⁴ When all the prisoners of the land are crushed underfoot, ³⁵ when human rights are perverted in the presence of the Most High, ³⁶ when one's case is subverted-does the Lord not see it?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 34 to 36)
Oh God my Father, we have made the world a corrupt and unsafe place to live in. Different places in the world including Malta have reached different levels of corruption, to the extent that some have been deprived of their human rights. I pray that You have mercy on us especially on those who are experiencing loss pain and anguish as a consequence. Amen.
³⁷ Who can command and have it done, if the Lord has not ordained it?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 37)
Oh God my Father nothing in this world can ever happen without Your knowledge and if not according to Your blessed will Amen, even events that we do not understand why they had to happen Amen.
³⁸ Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 38)
Oh God my Father only good can come out of Your mouth and not bad. Nothing non-pure can ever come from You for You are all truth and goodness Amen.
³⁹ Why should any who draw breath complain about the punishment of their sins?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 39)
Oh God my Father we have nothing to complain about, not even waiting in a hospital or at a clinic, for time is needed to do many things and we must be patient to wait and use that time well instead of grumbling against the system Amen.
⁴⁰ Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 40)
Amen let this time be one of reflection on our spiritual lives. May we stop and examine life in general and see if it is according to the will of not and if not we find ways of changing our lifestyles Amen.
⁴¹ Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 41)
Oh God my Father this indeed is a time of repentance. We have roused Your anger by our sinful acts and now we are reaping the fruit of our sinful ways Amen.
⁴² We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 42)
Oh God my Father we have truly transgressed and sinned and rebelled but I believe that You love us so much that You keep on loving and forgiving us, however, we are not to abuse of Your forgiveness Amen.
⁴³ You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us, killing without pity; ⁴⁴ you have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 43 to 44)
Oh God my Father I thank You for always being open to receiving my prayers, I thank You for never rejecting me even when my lifestyle was sinful and unhealthy Amen.
⁴⁵ You have made us filth and rubbish among the peoples.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 45)
Oh God my Father we have made ourselves like filth and rubbish, we have become unfaithful to You. We only refer to You in times of crisis and pain and this is not fair. I pray that You do not deal with us as we have behaved towards You Amen.
⁴⁶ All our enemies have opened their mouths against us; ⁴⁷ panic and pitfall have come upon us, devastation and destruction.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 46 to 47)
Oh God my Father I pray for Your mercy and help during these times of tribulation, for we are not only harassed by this Corona Virus which is causing a lot of hardship but even difficulties with the European Union which is showing its true colours by not being supportive to Malta in relation to the issues of illegal migration and human trafficking. Amen. I pray for a change of attitude Amen.
⁴⁸ My eyes flow with rivers of tears because of the destruction of my people.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 48)
Oh God my Father I also empathize with the author of the book of Lamentations for there is still a lot of pain and abuse in our society. I pray for justice and redemption Amen.
⁴⁹ My eyes will flow without ceasing, without respite, ⁵⁰ until the LORD from heaven looks down and sees.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 49 to 50)
Oh God my Father before I even start feeling sad and break down in tears You already know of my sorrows, You are already wiping the tears from my eyes. I thank You for being the God whom You are Amen.
⁴ He has made my flesh and my skin waste away, and broken my bones; ⁵ he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; ⁶ he has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 4 to 6)
Oh God my Father Your plans for us are perfect covering the even the smallest of details, even though at times I do not understand what is going on in my life, I rest assured that whatever happens You are in control and that You have my best interest at heart Amen.
⁷ He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has put heavy chains on me; ⁸ though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer; ⁹ he has blocked my ways with hewn stones, he has made my paths crooked.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 7 to 9)
Oh God my Father, I am more than happy to be Your prisoner. I pray that You block all the ways or plans that will lead me away from You, but on the other hand I pray that You will continue to open doors that lead me towards You Amen.
¹⁰ He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding; ¹¹ he led me off my way and tore me to pieces; he has made me desolate; ¹² he bent his bow and set me as a mark for his arrow.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 10 to 12)
You are my victor lying in waiting to protect me against my enemies. You lead me off my ways in order to place me on better ways that are more to Your liking because they are according to Your will. You break me to pieces in order to restore me according to Your image. I am Your masterpiece on which You are revealing Your masterplan. I thank You my God and Father and as Your canvas I pray that You never stop updating Your plans for me Amen.
¹³ He shot into my vitals the arrows of his quiver; ¹⁴ I have become the laughingstock of all my people, the object of their taunt-songs all day long.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 13 to 14)
Oh God my Father I have also become the laughing stock for I believe in You and have based my life on You and Your teachings and nobody else is going to persuade me not to do so. I am being harassed from all sides however You are my guardian Amen.
¹⁵ He has filled me with bitterness, he has sated me with wormwood. ¹⁶ He has made my teeth grind on gravel and made me cower in ashes; ¹⁷ my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; ¹⁸ so I say, "Gone is my glory, and all that I had hoped for from the LORD."
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 15 to 18)
Oh brothers and sisters God my Father, when my wife left me, I felt as if part of my happiness went with her. I felt down and angry at You my God and Father for permitting this to happen, however today I realize that all happened for my own good Amen.
¹⁹ The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! ²⁰ My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 19 to 20)
Oh God, my Father, the thought of being trapped in this body and being far from my heavenly home is also something that makes me feel like a foreigner on earth, however, in order to survive I need to adapt to this material environment Amen.
²¹ But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: ²² The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; ²³ they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 21 to 23)
Amen Amen what an awesome God and Father I have heaven and earth proclaim Your Holy Name and Majesty Amen. My hope although at times is weak is in You Amen. Forgive me when I did not place my complete trust in You Amen. Thanks.
²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 24)
Amen this is my prayer my God and Father. You are my only hope, refuge and salvation and only in You will I ever place my trust Amen.
₂₅ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 25)
Oh God my Father I thank You for being so close to me. Although I am a sinner I try to start and end my day in prayer and even throughout the day You are always in my heart and spirit Amen. Thanks Jesus for loving me so much Amen.
²⁶ It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 26)
Oh, brothers and sisters, God does not expect extraordinary acts from us in order for us to obtain our salvation. Living our daily lives in faith and facing all of life's challenges and combating our sinful selves is already a great cross to bear and carry, and even that by ourselves is already an impossible task to accomplish. Therefore let us place our faith in God and let His plan for our lives unfold day by day. Let us learn how to thank You God for all that takes place in our lives and be happy Amen.
²⁷ It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, ²⁸ to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, ²⁹ to put one's mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), ³⁰ to give one's cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 27 to 30)
Oh God, my Father, I thank You for times of crisis, for during such times You give me the opportunity of slowing down and reflecting on both the issue and even how it is effecting my spiritual and social life. Thus in such a spirit of meditation, You show me the way ahead and always give me a solution Amen.
³¹ For the Lord will not reject forever.³² Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; ³³ for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 31 to 33)
Oh God my Father now I can confirm that it is not Your will to see us afflicted and burdened. You wish to see us happy and not sad or depressed. I pray for those who are currently passing through a hard time with faith that when it is Your will this period of trial and testing will reach its end Amen.
³⁴ When all the prisoners of the land are crushed underfoot, ³⁵ when human rights are perverted in the presence of the Most High, ³⁶ when one's case is subverted-does the Lord not see it?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 34 to 36)
Oh God my Father, we have made the world a corrupt and unsafe place to live in. Different places in the world including Malta have reached different levels of corruption, to the extent that some have been deprived of their human rights. I pray that You have mercy on us especially on those who are experiencing loss pain and anguish as a consequence. Amen.
³⁷ Who can command and have it done, if the Lord has not ordained it?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 37)
Oh God my Father nothing in this world can ever happen without Your knowledge and if not according to Your blessed will Amen, even events that we do not understand why they had to happen Amen.
³⁸ Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 38)
Oh God my Father only good can come out of Your mouth and not bad. Nothing non-pure can ever come from You for You are all truth and goodness Amen.
³⁹ Why should any who draw breath complain about the punishment of their sins?
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 39)
Oh God my Father we have nothing to complain about, not even waiting in a hospital or at a clinic, for time is needed to do many things and we must be patient to wait and use that time well instead of grumbling against the system Amen.
⁴⁰ Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 40)
Amen let this time be one of reflection on our spiritual lives. May we stop and examine life in general and see if it is according to the will of not and if not we find ways of changing our lifestyles Amen.
⁴¹ Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 41)
Oh God my Father this indeed is a time of repentance. We have roused Your anger by our sinful acts and now we are reaping the fruit of our sinful ways Amen.
⁴² We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 42)
Oh God my Father we have truly transgressed and sinned and rebelled but I believe that You love us so much that You keep on loving and forgiving us, however, we are not to abuse of Your forgiveness Amen.
⁴³ You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us, killing without pity; ⁴⁴ you have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 43 to 44)
Oh God my Father I thank You for always being open to receiving my prayers, I thank You for never rejecting me even when my lifestyle was sinful and unhealthy Amen.
⁴⁵ You have made us filth and rubbish among the peoples.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 45)
Oh God my Father we have made ourselves like filth and rubbish, we have become unfaithful to You. We only refer to You in times of crisis and pain and this is not fair. I pray that You do not deal with us as we have behaved towards You Amen.
⁴⁶ All our enemies have opened their mouths against us; ⁴⁷ panic and pitfall have come upon us, devastation and destruction.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 46 to 47)
Oh God my Father I pray for Your mercy and help during these times of tribulation, for we are not only harassed by this Corona Virus which is causing a lot of hardship but even difficulties with the European Union which is showing its true colours by not being supportive to Malta in relation to the issues of illegal migration and human trafficking. Amen. I pray for a change of attitude Amen.
⁴⁸ My eyes flow with rivers of tears because of the destruction of my people.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 48)
Oh God my Father I also empathize with the author of the book of Lamentations for there is still a lot of pain and abuse in our society. I pray for justice and redemption Amen.
⁴⁹ My eyes will flow without ceasing, without respite, ⁵⁰ until the LORD from heaven looks down and sees.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verses 49 to 50)
Oh God my Father before I even start feeling sad and break down in tears You already know of my sorrows, You are already wiping the tears from my eyes. I thank You for being the God whom You are Amen.
⁵¹ My eyes cause me grief at the fate of all the young women in my city.
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 51)
Oh God my Father my eyes are in tears when viewing many people dying of this virus, and of a greater virus that is sin. My heart is broken when I hear people swear and cursing Your name and that of Your Mother and showing no respect to You my God and Father Amen.
⁵² Those who were my enemies without cause have hunted me like a bird;⁵³ they flung me alive into a pit and hurled stones on me; ⁵⁴ water closed over my head; I said, "I am lost."
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 52 to 54)
Oh God my Father many false accusations were made against me during mediation and even in front of the Church Tribunal, I felt desperate, I thought my case was lost. However, You are and always be with me every step of the way Amen.
⁵⁵ I called on your name, O LORD from the depths of the pit; ⁵⁶ you heard my plea, "Do not close your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!"
(Book of Lamentations Chapter 3 verse 55)
Oh God my Father even though my enemies have been lying about me in front of the Tribunal of the Church and these lies are being accepted as being the truth, You will keep on defending me against such unfair accusations and will bring my case to rest Amen. I am paying dearly for my mistakes. I bring my case before You my God and Father I know that You will be fair with me Amen.
