I know He hears and answers prayer;
I know He bids us pray,
And cast the burden of our care
Upon Him day by day.
I know His power is still the same
As when He raised the dead,
And healed the sick, the blind, the lame,
And hungering thousands fed.

But I have prayed so fervently
That He would ease my pain,
And lay His gentle hand on me
And give me strength again ;
Yet here His helpless suppliant lies
Fettered in every limb,
Longing in vain that she might rise
And minister to Him.

He hears,-thy gracious Savior hears,
Beloved and chastened one :
Didst thou not whisper through thy tears,
"Thy holy will be done"?
Under the cross He gives the bow,
Whatever that cross may be :
The ministry of waiting now
Is all He asks of thee.

For thee He trod life's thorny way,
For thee His blood was spilt:
Is it too much for love to say,
"Do with me as Thou wilt"?
Then yield thy will, and plenteous grace
Upon thee shall be poured ;
The brightness of thy patient face
Can glorify thy Lord.

A smile can tell to those around
What peace and joy are thine,
And make them seek what thou hast found-
A comfort all divine.
Thus teaching what affliction taught,
A blessing thou shalt be,
So shall God's purposes be wrought
Alike in them and thee.
Then Hope shall speak of heavenly things,
And Love shall bid thee rest,
And Faith shall calmly fold her wings,
And wait to be more blest,
While gleams of glory from within
Shine through heaven's opening door,
As those thou lovest enter in
A little while before.

A little while, and thou shalt know
What now thou canst not see,
And this dark mystery of woe
Shall end in light for thee.
A little while, and thou shalt lay
Thy earthly burdens down,
And He who takes thy cross away
Will give the fadeless crown.