This prayer was composed by Shlomo ben Yehuda, HaBavli

Our God, and God of our fathers!

There is none that offers righteous prayer, the best of men is like a briar-thorn; to seek compassion on those who are crushed— no one [worthy] can be found.

The blameless and pure man has vanished, the pious man has disappeared and the righteous has been trampled; thus a generation impoverished in good deeds is held to account for its iniquities, for there is none to direct its ways.

Our sins have caused [God’s] wrath to be kindled, [even against the righteous] who offered, as members of Your household to pray and intercede for us; and thus, who is there, great or small, that is able to offer confession and prayer to the Holy One Who is ever awake?

I tremble and fear to offer prayer on behalf of the congregation to Him Who searches and probes [hearts;] deficient in virtue and full of sin, how can I find favor with my supplication?

You are good to those who call upon You with all their soul, You bear their burden and sustain them; expand Your precious kindness upon me, and give ear to my voice with Your love.

[Regard me] as one who is of worthy character and completely proficient in prayer, as one who is mature and fluent and not as a boor, consider my broken heart before You, and let me not be ashamed; for the sake of my relief, remember Your mercy— let it not be concealed.

Numerous are our needs, but they cannot be expressed because of our short-sightedness and rebellious spirit; but all is revealed to You Who has formed us from clay, [our] guide, shepherd, shelter and protector.

We are left like a single tree on a mountain in our solitude, our glory has turned to rubbish and refuse, answer us and sustain us in our servitude, add to Your counted ones [Israel] by seeking out those who are lost from us.

Those who are inflicted with pain by the rods of Your chastisement, are scattered, dispersed and pawned among the nations; protect them in Your shelter from strife and punishment, for to behold Your glory is their hope and desire.

[God,] Whose powerful voice hews flames of fire, Who decrees both good and its opposite, Your beloved ones knock [at Your door] with a sorrowful voice; accept their offer of prayer, and dwell among them.

They persevere in fasting [in order] to humble their hearts, their multitude—from the wrath of judgement conceal them in Your chamber; they beseech You in quiet prayer, lips whispering, withhold not their desire.

Your Name O God is glorified by Your desire to grant life, we remain in good life because of You, for the fountain of life flows from You; look to us, and answer us, and enlighten our eyes.

Almighty! King! Who sits on the throne of mercy, governs with kindness forgives the iniquities of His people. He removes their sins one by one, increasing forgiveness to sinners, and pardon to transgressors. Acting righteously with all who are of flesh and spirit; not according to their wickedness does He repay them. Almighty! You instructed us to recite the thirteen Divine attributes; remember unto us this day the covenant of thirteen Divine attributes, as You made them known to the humble Moses of old, as it is written, “And Adonoy descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the Name, Adonoy.

Congregation and Chazzan:

And Adonoy passed before him [Moses], and proclaimed:

Adonoy, Adonoy, Almighty, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abundant in Kindness, and Truth. Keeper of kindness for thousands of generations, Endurer of iniquity, and transgression, and sin; and Acquitter of those who repent. “And pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your inheritance.”

As a father has compassion on his children so do You have compassion on us, Adonoy. Deliverance is Adonoy’s; upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah! Adonoy of Hosts! fortunate is the man who trusts in You. Adonoy, deliver us! the King will answer us on the day we call.