Prayer for Hope through Affliction

O mighty God, how great and grievous is my affliction! As Thou knowest, every day brings its evil and almost every hour its own particular pain. But my faith, my hope, my trust shall not on this account cease. In the midst of my sufferings I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, whence cometh my help, namely, to Thee, my almighty, good, and merciful God. I know, Thou wilt at last remove my affliction and gladden my soul; after the storm Thou wilt let me see the sun again.

Thou hast promised that Thou wilt give rest to the weary and heavy-laden; and I wait for the fulfillment of this blessed promise. If it will conduce to Thy glory and my salvation, grant me the wish of my heart and the prayer of my lips; for in Thee have I trusted, O Lord, from my youth up. I know, Thy right hand can change all things. I entreat Thee, if it be Thy holy will, change my wretched state. Refresh me, gladden me, hear me. In this will I recognize thine omnipotence, that Thou canst deliver out of the greatest and heaviest affliction. In this will I recognize Thy great goodness, that Thou, as a Father, hast compassion upon me.

Without this affliction I would perhaps have learned less true religion than I have learned with it. Now I see Thy holy counsel: Thou hast desired to make me humble, meek, and devout; Thou hast desired to draw me unto Thee, that I might find all my delight in Thee, and might place my hope in Thee alone. And since all this has been accomplished, Thou now takest away my affliction, and makest my mind, which was restless before, once more quiet, submissive, and content. O what glorious fruitage has not this bitter root brought forth! What great benefit has not come to me from my sufferings!

David’s persecutions gave him the occasion to compose his glorious psalms of praise and thanksgiving. My tears shall also be a seed from which good fruit shall grow. The thorns which have pierced me shall bear roses. After the battle shall follow the victory, after the conflict the crown, after the suffering the deliverance, after the dark and gloomy night the joyful morning! For this I praise and thank Thee. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. How glorious shall be that redemption on the last day, when I shall have been freed from all evil, and shall enter upon the joyful life of heaven! Amen.