In his refusal to repent of a promise gone wrong, Herod Antipas executed Saint John the Baptist whom he had already imprisoned. He who preached repentance was beheaded by him who preferred to please sinners and to abuse his position for malicious conduct. Christ our Savior, grant us the sense to turn away from the example of Herod and return to the preaching of the martyred John, repenting and chanting praises:
Save us, for we are easily deceived and befuddled.
Save us, for we fear the opinion of the world.
Save us, for we want things that are not good for us.
Save us, for we are attracted to demonic influences.
Save us, for we think we can hide our sins from God.
Save us, for we do not want our evil deeds exposed.
Save us, for we are envious of those who do good.
Save us, for we resent those who resist the devil.
Save us, for we are comfortable with the hideous.
Save us, for we are no longer shocked by sin.
Save us, for we will disobey unless You obstruct our way.
Save us, for we will perish unless You restore us to life.
Christ our Savior, save us.