Psalm 28
1O LORD, I call to you;
my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; *
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.
2Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, *
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
3Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the
evildoers, *
who speak peaceably with their neighbors,
while strife is in their hearts.
4Repay them according to their deeds, *
and according to the wickedness of their actions.
5According to the work of their hands repay them, *
and give them their just deserts.
6They have no understanding of the LORD’S doings,
nor of the works of his hands; *
therefore he will break them down and not
build them up.
7Blessed is the LORD! *
for he has heard the voice of my prayer.
8The LORD is my strength and my shield; *
my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped;
9Therefore my heart dances for joy, *
and in my song will I praise him.
10The LORD is the strength of his people, *
a safe refuge for his anointed.
11Save your people and bless your inheritance; *
shepherd them and carry them for ever.
A Prayer for Prisons and Correctional Institutions
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy’s sake. Amen.
