The Bible often reports the prayers of the saints. Today's first reading is one such prayer. Though the specific content of the prayer may have nothing directly to do with our modern world, nevertheless meditating on Azariah's prayer can teach us much about prayer. Whenever disaster or suffering strikes, many people question God: "Why did this happen?" Azariah appeals to God "Do not abandon us forever" and "Do not repudiate your covenant forever". He may seem to be simply accusing God of abandoning his people and forgetting his covenant with Israel. Nevertheless a more meditative reading of the prayer will reveal to us that Azariah is inherently making a great act of faith. The people indeed are in distress but God, who liberated Israel from Egypt, is forever a God of liberation and can free us from whatever trouble we are in. To benefit from this grace of liberation Israel had to live according to the Covenant. Israel's tragic situation has arisen because of their sins. Still, there is hope, and hope leads to prayer: "But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received." Let us, too, learn to hope and pray.