Sweet Hour of Prayer

Matthew 26:36-46 is the familiar story of Gethsemane. Today, I challenge you to dig out your Bible and read the text for yourself. Use your preferred translation, but try to avoid paraphrases.

Following the Last Supper, Jesus knew the time was at hand. His heart was overwhelmed with sorrow (v. 38) and I have to imagine that it wasn’t just for the task Jesus faced – abuse, beatings, death on the cross – but also the heartbreak of knowing there would still be generations of people who would die in their disbelief. Much of his grief was on our behalf and not his own!

His last request? Stay with me (v. 36). Keep watch with me (v. 38). Pray with me (v. 41). Sadly, we know the response of the disciples. Yet do we fare any better today? Can we spend more than a few hurried moments in prayer before our mind wanders, or before we tire, or become distracted? Is prayer a priority of our day, or something tacked on in haste before we go to bed?

One of my favorite old hymns was first written as a poem by William W. Walford, dated sometime prior to 1842. Interestingly, William Walford shared something in common with another renown hymn writer, Fanny Crosby – they were both blind. Some of Walford’s poetry was written down by Thomas Salmon, a pastor, who left for the United States in 1842, and it was then that Walford’s poetry was published and later set to music by William B. Bradbury. Most likely Walford never knew his poetry had become a favored traditional hymn.

One additional note of interest, the word ‘sweet’ originally carried the connotation of respected. For William Walford, clearly spending time in prayer was considered esteemed and held in high honor; for there, although living in darkness without eyesight, he could glimpse the face of his Redeemer. Indeed, what an honor it is to spend time, communicating from our heart, sharing personally with God, our Father and Lord.

Sweet Hour of Prayer (William W. Walford, 1842)

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, 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, 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! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, of those whose anxious spirits burn, with strong desire 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!

 

Lord God, our Father,

Forgive us for the times when we take the ability to communicate personally with you for granted. Forgive us when we take it lightly, or put prayer along with Band-Aids in the ‘for emergencies’ tool kit. Prayer is precious. Prayer is a sacred gift you give us to talk with you. Our words don’t have to be practiced or eloquent, we just simply have to share our heart with you. Thank you. Teach us to be a people of prayer.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional  Sweet Hour of Prayer appeared first on Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com  

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Special courtesy ‘Thank You’ to Alison Brown for her wonderful piano accompaniment on Sunday’s worship service, particularly the arrangement for Sweet Hour of Prayer.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Advent Christian Hymnal, ACGC, 1952.

The Hymn Story (history) posted at

 https://www.hymnsofchristianworship.com/sweet-hour-of-prayer.html