Prayer to Seek God through Affliction

O my God, who hast plunged me into sadness and gloom till my heart is filled with anxiety, my mouth with sighing, my eyes with tears! I know not whither to turn. Was I not happy and content? Did I not enjoy rest and quietness? Whence then this unrest?

O, my distress is great. But I will not on that account flee from Thee, my Shepherd. As Thou hast depressed me by this heavy blow, so do Thou raise me up again by Thy powerful Word, that I may reflect upon the reason why Thou hast sent me this affliction. I know for a certainty that this cross which Thou hast sent me is not meant for my ruin nor intended to do my soul any harm. O, no, Thou gracious Giver of life, my Father; it is not Thy purpose to destroy me, nor to visit Thy wrath upon me. Thou hast sent me this distress, that Thou mightest prove my love, and see whether I will love Thee in evil as well as in good days. Thou desirest to test my faith, and to prove whether I believe that Thou art an almighty, wise and merciful God, who canst deliver me out of my distresses and preserve me in the midst of them. Thou desirest to test my patience, and see whether I will bear the cross to Thy glory. Thou wouldest prove my trust: whether I will trust in Thee above all things, and confide in Thy grace, love and mercy. Thou wouldest prove my hope: whether I will hope when there seems to be nothing to hope for, and implicitly trust Thy Word and promise.

Yea, my gracious God and Father. Thou wouldest draw me away from the world, its lusts, sins, and habits, and wouldest have me turn to Thee, and cling only to Thee. Thou takest from me my joy, that I may find my joy in Thee alone. Thou takest from me what delighted my soul, that I may regard Thee as my highest good and dearest treasure. ’Tis well! I will become what Thou wouldest have me be: I will bear what Thou dost lay upon me. Grant me Thy Holy Spirit that He may impart to me the needful grace and strength. Without Thee I can not bear my cross; but through Thy Holy Spirit and Thy gracious help I can overcome. I will be patient and endure quietly as long as Thou wilt have me endure. I will, also, cut loose from the world and worldly associations, and cling to Thee alone, that I may be one in Spirit with Thee. Thus shall this cross purify me, and be a great benefit to my soul. In Thine own time Thou wilt send me deliverance. Amen.