"me. I knew that it was impossible for me to live long in this state, and I dared not die and meet the terrible fate of the sinner. With what envy did I regard those who realized their acceptance with God! How precious did the Christian's hope seem to my agonized soul! 1T 26.2"
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."
Both passages describe a deep sense of unworthiness and a longing for God's mercy. EGW expresses envy towards those who have assurance of salvation, while the publican in Luke 18:13 humbly asks for mercy as a sinner. The parallel lies in the shared experience of recognizing one's sinfulness and yearning for divine acceptance.
"For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me."
Both passages describe a feeling of being overwhelmed by sin and its consequences. The EGW passage describes the 'terrible fate of the sinner' and the Psalms verse describes iniquities as a 'heavy burden.'
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
Both passages describe a soul that is cast down and disquieted. The EGW passage describes her agonized soul, while the Psalm asks why the soul is cast down.
"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;"
Both passages deal with the concept of hope. EGW describes how precious the Christian's hope seemed to her, while Hebrews speaks of hope as an anchor of the soul.
"I frequently remained bowed in prayer nearly all night, groaning and trembling with inexpressible anguish and a hopelessness that passes all description. Lord, have mercy! was my plea, and, like the poor publican, I dared not lift my eyes to heaven, but bowed my face upon the floor. I became very much reduced in flesh and strength, yet kept my suffering and despair to myself. 1T 26.3"
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."
EGW explicitly mentions being 'like the poor publican' and echoes the publican's posture and plea for mercy. This is a clear and intentional reference.
"I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears."
Both passages describe a state of deep anguish, groaning, and weeping, indicating a strong thematic connection.
"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Both passages describe a person in deep distress, bowed down in prayer, seeking relief from suffering. While the specifics differ (EGW's passage focuses on personal anguish, while Matthew 26:39 describes Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane), the underlying theme of fervent prayer in a state of distress connects them.