Lord God almighty, Thou who doest clothe the heaven with darkness, and
makest their covering as a sack; Thou didst in thy wrath punish the
impenitent old world for their wickedness and vice, with the overflowing
waters of the flood, and didst destroy all the creatures of the earth,
that live and have their being on dry land. We also at this time,
according to Thy strict righteousness, on account of our manifold sins
which we have committed against Thee, are visited with unusual rain,
continued and protracted wet weather by which the land and the fruits
thereof are greatly injured. Merciful Father, Thou who didst close the
fountains of the deep as well as the windows of heaven at the time of the
deluge, and didst command the rain from heaven to cease, take away from
us all our sins and transgressions, and turn away from us the just
punishment of our iniquities, the destructive rain and great waters. For
the earth is sad, and the heavens are mourning. Behold the pledge in the
clouds--the rainbow--and remember Thy promise, give good and fruitful
weather, that the fruits in field and garden may prosper, and not be
destroyed by the abundant and superfluous rain, and thus bring upon us
famine and scarcity. Lord God of truth, Thou who canst not lie, Thou hast
said: There shall henceforth be no more deluge to destroy the earth.
Therefore be merciful, O Lord! and do not out of wrath close up the
bowels of Thy compassion, O do not take Thy favor and mercy from us! Do
Thou not give unto us idle teeth, and lack of bread, bless our bread,
that we may always have something to eat, and praise Thy holy name; thus
shall we know that we are Thy children indeed, for whom Thou dost most
faithfully care, and praise Thee as our heavenly Father all the days of
our lives. Amen.