Sweet Hour Of Prayer

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray" (Matthew 14:23).

Today we sing little 'worship songs' that have become the norm which most have little if none real theological truth in them only a 'feel good' form of worship. That said, they are many of these 'worship songs' that are very meaningful, unfortunately few in number. We have cast out the more meaningful hymns that led the church for so many centuries in favor of the "7-11" form of song. Seven lines sung eleven times, (or more). Listen to this old hymn and see if it does not contain wonder truths from and about our father in heaven.



                     Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, That    calls me from a world of care,
                     And bids ne 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
                                 
                     Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, Thy wings shall my petition bear
                     To Him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless:
                     And since He bids me seed 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.

This hymn is theologically sound, and when sung can bring great hope and relief teaching us that God asks of us to; "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall' (Psalm 55:22). Notice this, God did not promise to give everything we ask for but rather to "sustain you" and will keep "the righteous from falling".  Peter extends this grace from God; "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). We put our; "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5); The writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 2:13) quotes; "I will wait for the LORD,...I will put my trust in him"  (Isaiah 8:17a,c). We come before our God in prayer, trusting and waiting upon Him and allowing Him to be sovereign in our requests.  The word waiting is not a sitting back, but to be in anticipation, so we are active in our faith.

            Satan dreads nothing but prayer,...The Church that lost its Christ was full of good works.
            Activities are multiplied that meditation may be ousted, and organizations are increased
            that prayer may have no chance.  Souls may be lost in good works, as surely as in evil ways.
            The one concern of the devil is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from 
            prayerless studies, prayerless dwork, prayerless religion.  he laughs at our toil, mocks at 
            our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. ---  SAMUEL CHADWICK

We may not see instantaneous answers to our prayers, and we may never see our prayers come to fruition in our lifetime and lose sight of the truth. God answers prayers, and it is in His sovereignty, His Goodness, that we rest our prayers, our hopes, wants, and desires. Knowing that He will never forsake us. Check our motives, confess our sins to Him, and see what God will do.

             The neglect of prayer is a grand hindrance to holiness.  "We have not because we ask not." 
             Oh, how meek and gentle, how lowly in heart, how full of love both to god and to man,
             might you have been at this day, if you had only asked! If you had continued instant in prayer
             Ask, that you may thoroughly experience and perfectly practice the whole of that religion
             which our Lord has so beautifully described in the Sermon on the Mount. ---  JOHN WESLEY

We are all familiar with Newton's song, "Amazing Grace", but there is another hymn by him that is worth while to read, in it so much of the providence of God"

                                                  "Though troubles assail, and dagers affright,
                                                  "Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite,       
                                                   Yet one thing secures me, whatever betide,      
                                                   The promise assures us, the Lord will provide.           

                                "The birds without barns, or storehouse are fed

                                  His saints what is fitting, shall ne'er be denied,

                                  So Long as it's written, the Lord will provide" 

Today make it a vow, that you will come to God in prayer, in faith and trust. No matter whatever betides, that you will wait upon the LORD knowing that His Grace is sufficient. "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace" (John 1:16 NASB).  What does that verse mean? When we can no longer see or feel the grace of God there is still grace. (Gr. charin anti charitos)


Daily Prayer:


Father I come to you today leaning upon Your Grace, Your kindness, with my petitions, and requests. My thanksgiving and praise for who You are and what You have done for me, eternal life. Help me to be strong, as I wait upon You.  Thank you for answered prayers and those that You will yet answer.  I bring to You today _____________________ and thanking you that Your promises are true.                  Amen