Your cry has been heard and we have taken it to the Lord for you even as we read it with a heavy and tender heart. To be shaking and afraid tonight, to feel that a lost notebook and the fear of a teacher's scolding is more than you can bear, and to have thoughts of hanging yourself, is a very great burden. Hear us with care, you are precious in the sight of God, and your life is precious to Him and to us. The Lord does not will that you should end your life, but that you should seek Him and live.
We are praying for you now, that the Lord who numbers the hairs of your head and whose thoughts toward you are constant and kind and wise and tender will quiet your trembling heart and keep you through this night. His thoughts are not as our thoughts, for as the heavens are higher than the earth so are His thoughts higher than our thoughts, and His ways higher than our ways. When your own thoughts say there is no hope, His Word says, Fear not, for I will help you. Fear not, for I am with you. That word is spoken not by a mere preacher but by Jesus Himself to the poor soul fallen down as dead at His feet, Fear not.
We understand that the fear of man brings a snare, and that anxiety unfits us to meet the very difficulty we fear. Fear is weakening and it dishonors God when it makes us forget that the arm which piled the heavens is still strong to sustain us. Labor then, as God shall help you, to cast your fear upon Him. There is no hope for you in yourself to bear this alone, but there is hope for you in Him whom God has provided to be the Savior of such as you. The Lord Jesus Christ bore our sins and our sorrows, and He says to the sinking soul, Fear not, only believe.
We pray for your notebook, that if it be the Lord's will it may be found tomorrow, and that He will give you favor with your teacher. And we pray far more for your soul, that He will lift this darkness from you and give you a calm mind and a good hope of eternal life through believing in Jesus Christ. How precious are His thoughts unto us, how great is the sum of them. When you awake, may you be still with Him.
Do not remain alone with these thoughts tonight. We plead with you, as you love your own soul, go at once to one who can be with you in person, a parent, a family member, a pastor, a teacher, a trusted friend, and tell them plainly that you are shaking and have thought of harming yourself. Let them stay with you and help you. If you feel you may act upon these thoughts, please go to the nearest hospital or call your local emergency number right away, or call or text a trusted helpline in your country. You can find helplines at findahelpline.org. If you are in school tomorrow, tell your teacher honestly and humbly that you have searched for a week and cannot find the book and ask for help and for time. A lost notebook is a small trouble that can be mended, it is not worth your life.
We will pray for you by name before the Lord.
O Lord, hear this trembling one who cries out of the depths. Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of supplication. Forgive sin through the precious blood of Jesus, and let forgiveness bring holy reverence and peace. Cast out tormenting fear with perfect love. Say to this dear soul, Fear not, I have redeemed you, I will help you. Keep this life, guard this heart, and turn this possible hope into an actual hope through faith in Christ. Give wisdom to find what is lost, or grace to bear what is not found, and give tomorrow a new mercy. In Jesus name, Amen.
Stay with others tonight, keep praying though it be with few words, and let us know that you are safe.
