The law has grown weak, the Gospel has fallen silent, good thoughts have vanished, the voice of God is unheard, and Christ is not seen amidst the storm of life.
I experience moments, hours, and days when there is no strength left to live, when darkness consumes my soul, when my heart fills with sorrow, and when the ship of my Christian hope shatters against the reefs of evil and cruelty that reign in the world.
Yet, it is precisely at this time that You, O Lord, are closer than ever. For it is this very time—this time of darkness and affliction—that precedes the dawn. And somewhere in the midst of this darkness, You stretch out Your hand and say: “Come with Me. And fear nothing.”
And now I stand before You in sorrow and pray: stretch out Your hand to me. Strengthen a steadfast faith within me. Grant me Your hope. Give me wings through Your love.
Hide not Your face from me, for I am in distress; answer me speedily. Draw near to my soul and redeem it. (Psalm 69:17–18, 29, 32 / Psalm 68:18–19, 30, 33)
For there is no other comfort or joy besides You. As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God! (Psalm 42:1 / Psalm 41:2). My soul hungers for Your grace. Hear me and pour out Your bountiful gifts upon me.
And be with me all the days of my life. Bless my going out and my coming in! Bless my hands and all that I do. Bless my thoughts and inspire me to do good deeds in Your name!
Amen.
Author: Fr. Andrii Pinchuk
