Sweet Hour of Prayer

The hymn Sweet Hour of Prayer was written by W.W. Walford and Wm. B Bradbury. It is contained in the Broadman Hymnal to which I often refer, from the 1940 edition. Pg. 263

The authors note the following things about prayer in the words to their song:
1. "that calls me from a world of care" (it is a time to step away from the cares)
2. "at my Father's throne, make all my wants and wishes known" (we come before Him at his throne of majesty, to aid our belief that he is great enough)
3. "in stress and grief, my soul has often found relief" (where else can we go to find relief that reaches our soul?)
4. "escaped the tempter's snare" (closeness to God could stop us before we become snagged)
5. "thy wings my petition bear" (the wings of the spirit carries our prayers)
6. " he bids me seek his face" (He wants us to come to him in prayer)
7. "cast on Him my every care" (They remind us to cast away our cares, treat them like they are now at Jesus feet, rather than a heavy weight we bear)

It also asks in the last verse: "may I thy consolation share?" (If we share in our friends burdens, we share in their rejoicing.)

And finally, it makes note that when the day arrives when we view our heavenly home and our soul takes flight - "this robe of flesh I'll drop and rise... and shout while passing through the air, farewell, farewell Sweet Hour of Prayer."

There will be no need to pray after that day. If we could look back would we pray differently today? When with our eyes we see his Throne would we look back and think, if only I had prayed as if I were standing here, at the throne of Grace?

Should we wait til then to see the way we pray,
Or may we look ahead and change the way we pray - today. cw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18MEV0fT1gI

Open the video above and let "Sweet Hour of Prayer" play while you take a moment to pray, about believing that
               -God receives us at his throne,
               -bids us cast our cares his way, and
                 walk away,

aware that He

• wants us there,
• asks us to come, and
• assures us that, if we will just see Him as he is, we will, in the words of the song:

 vs. 2 - "believe His Word and trust His grace."

Lord, help me see prayer as a visit to your throne, where I can in full expectancy cast like trash my cares at your feet, believe that you want me there, even just as I am, in your throne room. But help me remember I do not come alone, not carry my burden to you, for the Holy Spirit does that for me. Let me see myself freed in your presence and help me leave in confidence that you never don't hear my plea. Never do you turn a blind eye, or block out my cry. While I am there, it is me you see, not the worlds great burden or my sin or cares.

Help me see myself as you see me,
set free dear lord----
set FREE  FREE  FREE!!!
AMEN

It is so nice that as the Lord has me share that he ministers also to me.