Sweet Hour of Prayer...the Wayfarer 5/10/16

Sweet Hour of Prayer
5/10/16

Matthew 21:21-22

²¹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

²² And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Prayer, communication between man and God is a necessity to the believer, sustenance for the soul of the believer, just as surely as the sustenance of food and water are necessities required for the nourishment of the body, and physical existence.

The title today comes from yet another old standard gospel hymn that remains as true and wonderfully sustaining as when it was first written by W, W. Bradford and Wm. B. Bradley.

The absolute best portion of our lives is to be found in that precious communication, whether in time of sorrow and need, or in time of joy as praise is given for that joy, and throughout the times between as the promise is recognized in the “little things” that continually show the delivery of that promise on a moment to moment basis throughout each day when we take the time to recognize them.

“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! 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.”

Each morning, when I arise, still in the hold of the sleep that has not yet been shaken, the day begins with routine established many years ago.

The quietude and solace of the early morning, in my case often awaiting the first rays of daylight, are spent, with the scriptures before me, reflecting on their meaning, their importance, their significance to this new day, and those passed as well as yet to come.

This is also a time of communication, a time of questions and answers between myself and God.

It is a time of request, and a time of praise for the answers already given to previous requests.

This is, however, only the beginning of our communication, as the day begins with the first light of dawn giving way to the warmth of the sun, when, in summer, I take that reflection along with my morning coffee to the outside porch to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, to merely observe and allow the wonderful communication that is returned to wash over all of my senses as it occurs in the colors, the sounds, the feel of the breeze, the smell of the fresh new day, and the taste of each sip of the coffee as well.

That communication continues throughout the day, answers given in actions of those with whom I come into contact, given in “chance meetings” and what may seem insignificant occurrences… each and every experience throughout that day a further communication to be observed and comprehended only in the totality of what is given.

Prayer is more than words and requests… prayer and communication with God are life itself.

In the world we face today, prayer is essential, as it has been from the beginning of time.

The song reminds us of the solace found in prayer, and ends with the reminder that the day is coming when that communication will be face to face with God, complete and better communication that exceeds the bounds of that which we are capable while confined to this “robe of flesh”.

1 Thessalonians 5 King James Version (KJV)

5 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

² For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

³ For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

⁴ But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

⁵ Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

⁷ For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁰ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

¹¹ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

¹² And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

¹³ And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

¹⁵ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit.

²⁰ Despise not prophesyings.

²¹ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

²² Abstain from all appearance of evil.

²³ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁴ Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

²⁵ Brethren, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

²⁷ I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Paul’s words are reminder of that necessity to continue in prayer, to continue in the steadfastness of faith that may only be possible through prayer, and that that prayer is heard just as unceasingly as it is given.

The best closing for this dissertation is to end with the same reminder that was used in the opening, that prayer must be accompanied by belief that it is heard and in faith that it is also answered.

Jesus established an open line of communication with God for us through His sacrifice, and continues His mediation for us allowing that communication by having overcome death and sin for us.

It is only through Him we are able to enjoy the benefits of having that precious communication that comes with the redemption given us through repentance that delivers the promise of His grace, and eternal life.

The hour of prayer is indeed sweet, particularly when that hour is continuous and unending.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer