SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER, SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

One of favourite hymns of the older generation is the beautiful English hymn, SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER, SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER by William W. Walford, written one hundred and eighty one years back, in 1845. It still holds its away over many a Christian who loves the LORD Jesus, and longs to be in His presence.
– “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!” – W. W. Walford

What should impress anyone of us are not only the words of the hymn, but the one who wrote it. What is written is a reflection of the author, his heart, his love for the LORD and his longing to be in God’s presence. Clear and impeccable marks a man truly touched and transformed by the LORD Jesus. Rev. Thomas Salmon who had met him, has the following words about William W. Walford…
– “During my residence at Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, I became acquainted with W. W. Walford, the blind preacher, a man of obscure birth and connections and no education, but of strong mind and most retentive memory. In the pulpit he never failed to select a lesson well adapted to his subject, giving chapter and verse with unerring precision, and scarcely ever misplacing a word in his repetition of the Psalms, every part of the New Testament, the prophecies, and some of the histories, so as to have the reputation of knowing the whole Bible by heart.” – Rev. Thomas Salmon

A world of care wanting our utmost attention. There are needs that needs to be addressed urgently. There are issues and matters that demand our immediate presence. However in the midst of all our cares, and all what requires our attention and presence, we ought to take out quality and consistent time to commune with our LORD, who is the source of our strength, sustenance and success. This is essential for us in every sense of the word.
– “38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

Martin Luther, the great reformer understood the significance and the seriousness of spending quality and consistent time in the presence of the LORD Jesus. His heartfelt belief was that, the more heavy the work load for the day, the more it requires from us to lean upon God, and rely upon His strength to carry the tasks for the day.
– “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” – Martin Luther

Unless we are strongly connected to the true Vine, the LORD Jesus Christ, we cannot hope to survive the onslaught of this world and all the cares that come pressing upon us.
– “​1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser…4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” – John 15:1,4-6

How are we doing this morning? Are we spending quality time in the presence of the LORD Jesus? Are we able to consistently spend time with our Redeemer? Are we seeking His face earnestly, morning, noon and night? Let us not forget that unless we are connected to the true Vine, the LORD Jesus Christ, we cannot bear fruit, and be His witness. Instead we get crushed under the weight of the cares, and pretty soon crumble into irrelevance. Therefore, let us earnestly seek Him, as early as possible; certainly even before our day begins. Let us long and look forward to the “SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER.” Even so, the LORD help us.