Lord, who hast suffer'd all for me, <br />My peace and pardon to procure, <br />The lighter cross I bear for Thee, <br />Help me with patience to endure. <br /> <br />The storm of loud repining hush; <br />I would in humble silence mourn; <br />Why should the unburnt, though burning bush, <br />Be angry as the crackling thorn? <br /> <br />Man should not faint at Thy rebuke, <br />Like Joshua falling on his face, <br />When the cursed thing that Achan took <br />Brought Israel into just disgrace. <br /> <br />Perhaps some golden wedge suppress'd, <br />Some secret sin offends my God; <br />Perhaps that Babylonish vest, <br />Self-righteousness, provokes the rod. <br /> <br />Ah! were I buffeted all day, <br />Mock'd, crown'd with thorns and spit upon, <br />I yet should have no right to say, <br />My great distress is mine alone. <br /> <br />Let me not angrily declare <br />No pain was ever sharp like mine, <br />Nor murmur at the cross I bear, <br />But rather weep, remembering Thine.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/olney-hymn-43-prayer-for-patience/
