A soul in anguish, tossing to and fro between hope and despair, finds the mercy seat ever open. The very breath of a sigh reaches the ear of the God of Heaven. When the heart is too full for formed words, yet the groanings that cannot be uttered ascend before the throne. This is no small thing, that in the midst of your distress, you have seen tokens of mercy. The wet food taken, the quieting of her restlessness after prayer, the release of her frame in the natural way, these are not mere happenstance. They are the quick returns of prayer, the swift darts that you sent up in your urgency. A brief prayer, a cry flung heavenward, often brings a speedy answer. So do not write against yourself that every step forward is lost; rather see these as the pledges of a hearing God, who stoops to notice the little sparrows and the creatures that share our homes.
When the mind reels and the prayer seems all broken and without order, yet the Lord is near to those who are at their wit's end. It is not the eloquence of the petition, but the sincerity of the need that moves His heart. You fear your requests are too weak, too scattered to prevail. But the weakest prayer from a soul upon its knees is a mighty thing. A breathing, a look, a tear, these are voices in the ear of the Most High. Let this comfort you: the power of prayer is not measured by its outward expression. Your faltering words have been stronger than you know, for the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Yet be sure to lean wholly upon the good Physician, who heals both body and soul. Spread your case before Him with all the arguments you can gather. Plead His tender mercies, His care for all His creatures, His promise that He hears us if we ask anything according to His will. Bring forth the memory of past deliverances, the crumbs of mercy you have already tasted, and press your suit. But let your pleading be seasoned with humility. Jacob wrestled and prevailed, but he went limping afterward; a self-confident heart drives the chariot wheels from our prayers. Acknowledge that you are in the hands of One whose ways are perfect, even when the path goes through deep waters. Your breaking heart over her suffering, this is no sign of unbelief, but of a love that He implanted. Yet He would have you cast this very burden upon Himself, for He cares for you.
The roundabout way is often the straight way. God does not always give the comfort we ask for by a direct act; sometimes He quickens us, and so we obtain comfort. The exercise of prayer itself strengthens the soul, even before the full answer comes. This is your comfort under the delay: that He has already heard, already stirred, already given pledges. The appointment with the specialist, the returning appetite, the quieted frame, these are not random. They are cords thrown from the shore, drawing you nearer to the haven.
When you fear that the disease is incurable, go to the Word which is your comfort in affliction. Say to the Lord, “This is Your promise that You have made me to hope upon, fulfill it to me.” Plead it in prayer. Do not only seek comfort about the creature, but let your soul find its chief comfort in the Creator. He who notes the fall of a sparrow will not turn aside from your cry. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the essence of the believer's consolation, not merely that He gives comfort, but that He is our comfort. In all your watching and waiting, look to Him who has the keys of death and life. And remember, though this affliction is real and heavy, yet afterward, oh, that blessed word, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Time, under God, will blot out the sharpness of present sorrow, and you shall remember it as waters that pass away.
So continue to cry unto Him who has laid these mercies at your door. Be constant in prayer, mixing it with thanksgiving for the small beginnings of deliverance. The very fact that you have been driven more earnestly to the throne is no small fruit of this trial. He means to draw you nearer, to teach you a tenderness of heart, to make you know the fellowship of His sufferings in a measure. Lift up your head, the help of the Lord is not withheld. The darts of prayer, quick and silent, shall not return void. Comfort your heart in this: the God of Heaven hears, the Lord Jesus intercedes, and the Spirit aids your weakness. Rest in that, and be of good courage.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
