Is it possible, Lord, that, since you are in eternity, you are ignorant of what I am saying to you? Or, do you see in time an event at the time it occurs? If not, then why am I recounting such a tale of things to you? Certainly not in order to acquaint you with them through me; but, instead, so that through them I may stir up my own love and the love of my readers toward you,⁠a so that all may say, "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised." I have said this before and will say it again: "For love of your love I do it." So also we pray—and yet Truth tells us, "Your Father knows what things you need before you ask him." Consequently, we lay bare our feelings before you so that, through our confessing to you our plight and your mercies toward us, you may go on to free us altogether, as you have already begun; and that we may cease to be wretched in ourselves and blessed in you—since you have called us to be poor in spirit, meek, mourners, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful and pure in heart. Thus I have told you many things, as far as I could find the ability and the will to do so, since it was your will in the first place that I should confess to you, Lord my God—for "You are good and your mercy endures forever."