May it be My Will

Rebbe Yochanan said in the name of Rebbe Yossi: How do we know that the Holy One, Blessed be He, prays?  As it is written: "I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them happy in the house of My prayer." It does not say "their prayer", but rather, "My prayer". From here we learn that the Holy One, Blessed be He, prays.

What does He pray?  Rav Zutra bar Tovya said in the name of Rav: "May it be My will that My mercy conquer My anger, and that My mercy overcome My attributes, and that I behave towards My children with the attribute of mercy, and that I favor them beyond what justice would require."

It was taught in a Braita, Rebbe Yishmael ben Elisha said: One time I entered the Holy of Holies to burn incense, and I saw Achteriel God the Master of Hosts sitting on a high and lofty throne. He said to me: "Yishmael, my son, bless Me."  I said to Him: "May it be Your will that Your mercy overcome Your anger, and that Your mercy overcome Your attributes, and that You behave toward Your children with the attribute of mercy, and that You favor them beyond what justice would require." Upon hearing this, He nodded to me with His head.


(Brachot 7a)