We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 28, 38-39
In his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul makes a statement that seems impossible. These words from St. Paul would contradict our 2,000 years of experience. However, they are completely true. As Armenians, we know our history of suffering, persecution, genocide, and the world’s indifference. While we have suffered much as a people, God has never abandoned us. Jesus lived for one purpose: to suffer and die for us on the cross. His love was expressed through His suffering, death, and resurrection, which gave us eternal life. God’s promise is for eternity, not simply a pleasant life on earth. He promises to gift us heaven itself and life with Him forever. Nothing can separate us from that except our unrepentant sin. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and will forgive our transgressions. That is Jesus’ promise. St. Gregory’s book of lamentations provides us with prayers of contrition. St. Gregory points the way to Christ through our sinfulness and confession. As we prayerfully read his prayers, Saint Gregory is interceding for us in the presence of God.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
Accept with sweetness almighty Lord my bitter prayers.
Look with pity upon my mournful face.
Lift, merciful God, my unbearable burden.
Preserve my suffering soul by your will.
Steady the breath of life you have given my flesh.
Surround me with your heavenly host.
Post them on watch against the battalion of demons.
Grant blissful rest in the depth of this night
through the intercession of the holy mother of God and the elect.
Amen
Prayer 12 C, D
