In Times of Affliction

O my God,
I beseech thee, by thy loneliness,
not that thou shouldst spare me affliction,
but that thou not abandon me in it.
When I encounter affliction,
teach me to see thee in it as my sole Comforter.
May affliction strengthen my faith,
fortify my hope, and purify my love.
Grant me the grace to see thy hand in my affliction,
and to desire no other comforter but thee. Amen.

St Bernadette of Lourdes (1844-1879)