Sweet Hour of Prayer

This old William Bradbury and W. W. Walford hymn speaks of the great blessing 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.

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,

The joy I feel, the bliss I share

Of those whose anxious spirits burn

With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place

Where God, my Savior, shows His face,

And gladly take my station there,

And wait for thee, 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 seek His face,

Belive His wrd, and trust His grace,

I'll cast on Him my ev'ry care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

John Calvin on Prayer

John Calvin said this on prayer, while commenting on Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6:

Believers do not pray with the view of informing God about things known to him, or of exciting him to do his duty, or of urging him as though he were relucant. On the conrary, they pray in order that they may arouse themselves to seek him, that they may exercise their faith in mediating on his promises, that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties by pouring them into his bossom; in a word, that they may declare that from him alone they hope and expect, both for themselves and for others, all good things.

Father, My Prayers are Confused

Father, many times, my prayers are confused. There are times when I am uncertain of what to pray, of what to ask, of what to expect. In my selfishness, I have desires and my own estimation of what needs to be, but I look at the world and I observe my small corner of it and realize that the way in which you are working must be at odds with what I am wanting. At first, such observation makes me frustrated, even angry and bitter . . . Why, God, have you not stepped in? . . . then, I realize, that you are God and I am not . . . You have all the wisdom and foresight, and my understanding is quite limited.

Father, I praise you that in my confusion, you know what is best for me and for those I love so deeply. May I learn to trust you more, to be patient in awaiting for your hand and your response. And, Father, may I know that you are not a manipulator . . . that the free choices of others sometimes goes against your will. May you judge them in accordance with your will, and may I be free of resentment and hatred and judgment.

Father, I give to you the concerns of my heart and the troubles of my family. I praise you for your love . . . for your abiding presence . . . may I accept the way that you lead. May I be at peace with where you are bringing me. May I live for you irrespective of what happens around me and to me. Father, I leave the circumstances of my life to you, fully trusting in You.

Thank You for a New Year

Father, thank you for this new year. As I look ahead I see the horizon far away. This new year is filled with wide vistas, its promise and potential is great. You are the God of new beginnings, of renewal. Be with us, Father, as we live this new year. May we be recharged, rejuvenated, ready to grow, improve, prosper, and succeed. Lead us in this new year, Father. May we be what you desire us to be.

Father, Give Me a Good Kick

Father, in the abundance of your blessings, you give me opportunity. Opportunity to serve, to love, to share, to give, opportunities to bless others. But, so much of the time, my fervor to serve, to love, to share, to give, and to bless wanes. I am so preoccupied with my own concerns, needs, activities, and ambitions. With the opportunities you give me, grant to me also a willing heart, motivation, give me a good kick and move me out of my comfort (or my rut) so that I may be about your business, your concerns, to share the blessing of your love with others.

I Try So Hard

O Lord, You know, I try so hard

To be like You everyday;

But one thing, Lord, I truly know,

Is You gave Your life away.

To be like You, and all You are,

Well that's a lot easier to say.

O Lord, You gave Your life for me,

And I'll give You mine today.

(By Lydia Weathersby)

Like a River

Like a river rushing down to the sea

Like a rushing wind You blow into me

Like the falling of the snow

Like the blood that makes me whole

Is the love of God that flows into me

Like a river You come flooding

Thru the desert fo my heart

And like the wind, You come rushing

Blowing life thru ev'ry part

And like the snow, You're falling

On me with the blood of Your Son

And like the sun, You come shining

Making darkness run

Like a river flowing down to the sea

Like a rushing wind You blow into me

Like the falling of the snow

Like the blood that makes me whole

Is the love of God that flows into me

Like a river You come pouring

Out Your love upon my heart

And like the wind, You bring

Harvest down to take Your yeild, and

Like the snow, You come to winter

Touching hearts and making warmth

And like the sun, You raised

A mighty light to calm the storm

Like a river flowing down to the sea

Like a rushing wind You blow into me

Like the falling of the snow

Like the blood that makes me whole

Is the love of God that flows into me

(A song/prayer by Dennis Jernigan, c. 1982)

In the Shelter of Your Wings

God, hear my cry;

listen to my prayer.

I will call to you from the ends of the earth

when I am afraid.

Carry me way to a high mountain.

You have been my protection,

like a strong tower against my enemies.

Let me live in your Holy Tent forever.

Let me find safety in the shelter of your wings.

God, you have heard my promises.

You have given me what belongs

to those who fear you.

(Psalm 61.1-5)

Create In Me

Create in me

A clean heart, O God

Let me be like You

In all my ways

Give me Your strength

Teach me Your song

Shelter me in the shadow

Of Your wings

For we are Your righteousness

If we die to ourselves

And live to Your death

We shall be born

Again to be blessed in Your name

(by Terry Talbot, inspired from Psalm 51)

In My Life, Lord

A simple song, a powerful prayer:

In my life, Lord,

Be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord,

Be glorified today.

In my home, Lord,

Be glorified, be glorified.

In my home, Lord,

Be glorified today.

In your church, Lord,

Be glorified, be glorified.

In your church Lord,

Be glorified today.

(Song by Bob Kilpatrick, c. 1978)