Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer

that calls me from a world of care.

And bids me at my Father's throne

make all my wants and wishes known!

In seasons of distress and grief

my soul has often found relief.

And oft escaped the tempter's snare

by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

This summer I learned what an hour of prayer can do. It can clear a cluttered mind, bring peace to a stormy heart, and direction to a wayward soul. It is no wonder William Walford called it 'sweet hour of prayer' for after spending three score minutes in the Saviour's presence, or simply listening to His voice, one does not want to leave for the sweetness he has tasted. We ought to make an appointment with the Lord on our knees, and keep it. If we do not set aside the specific time for prayer we will rarely get around to praying at all.

Our lives are busy, I know. At this moment I can think of five or six things I could be doing, but if I were honest I could do nothing more effective or productive then spending this hour in prayer. To what avail are the tasks of life in comparison to communion with the Saviour?

Lord, may I thirst for thy fellowship, and thine alone, and may I increasingly discipline myself to spend 'sweet hours in prayer.'

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer

thy wings shall my petition bear

to Him whose truth and faithfulness

engage thy waiting soul to bless

And since He bids me seek His face,

believe His Word, and trust His grace

I'll cast on Him my every care

and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer

may I thy consolation share?

Till from Mount Pisgah's lofty height

I view my home and take my flight

This robe of flesh I'll drop and rise

to seize the everlasting prize.

And shout, while passing through the air,

"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"