Author: William Cowper 1731-1800
What various hindrances we meet
when coming to the mercy-seat!
Yet all who know the worth of prayer
will long to be more often there.
2. Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw;
prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
gives exercise to faith and love,
brings every blessing from above.
3. Forsaking prayer, we cease to fight;
prayer makes the Christian’s armour bright,
and Satan trembles when he sees
the weakest saints upon their knees.
4. Have we no words? But think again;
words flow apace when we complain
and fill our fellow-creature’s ear
with the sad tale of all our care.
5. Were half the breath thus vainly spent
to heaven in supplication sent,
our cheerful song would oftener be,
‘Hear what the Lord has done for me!’
Scriptures: Psalms 66:16, Ephesians 1:3, Psalms 24:5, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, John 1:51, Psalms 107:2, Mark 5:19-20, Luke 8:38-39, Exodus 25:17-22, Hebrews 9:5, Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2, James 1:19, Leviticus 16:13, Luke 18:1, Exodus 37:6, 1 Samuel 12:23, James 5:16-18, Genesis 28:10-13, Exodus 16:2-3, Numbers 14:1-4, Matthew 12:33-37, Ephesians 6:11