1. The Learner: Lord, may your name be blessed for ever; it is by your will that this trouble and temptation have come upon me. I cannot get out of it, but I must come to you for protection, that you may help me and make it turn out for my good. Lord, I am in trouble at the moment; there is no peace in my heart, but I am much disturbed by this affliction now pressing on me. What can I say now, my beloved Father? I am trapped in a tight place. Save me from undergoing this hour of trial.¹ Yet that is why I have come to this hour, to bring you the glory of setting me free from this pit of humiliation. Please rescue me, Lord; what can I do, resourceless as I am? Without you, where shall I go? Lord, give me patience, this time also. Help me, my God, and I shall have no fear, no matter how heavy the load I must bear.
2. What shall I say now in the midst of my distress? Lord, may your will be done. I have richly deserved trouble and oppression. I must certainly endure it— patiently, I hope—until the storm blows over and things get better. Your hand is almighty, and has the power to take even this temptation away from me and soften its violence, so that I may not completely give way before it; many a time in the past you have done that for me, my God in your mercy towards me. To me, such a change seems unlikely; that only makes it easier, O God most high, for you to bring it about and lighten my burden.
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¹ John 12:27
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? `Father, save me from this hour'? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour.
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