Sweet Hour of Prayer

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Sweet Hour of Prayer

by: Joni Eareckson Tada

"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. `Simon,' he said to Peter, `are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?" -Mark 14:37

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.

God invites us to make all our wants and wishes known to Him. It's not only a marvelous invitation, but it's what prayer is all about. God wants you to tell Him your problems so that He can comfort you. He wants to hear about your longings so that He can purify them. Tell Him about your temptations so that He can help you conquer them.

Talk to God about everything that's on your heart. And when you do, remember that prayer is also the chance to hear the heartbeat of God. He desires to make known to you His wants and wishes.

When you pray this way, you may discover that a whole hour-an entire hour of sweet communion has just flown by. Time races away all too quickly when you're spending it in intimate conversation with your dearest friend.

And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word, and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my ev'ry care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.*

Lord, You are my friend and I want to tell You about my wants and wishes. More so, I want to hear You share Your heart with me. As I open up Your Word, speak to me. And as Your Spirit opens up my heart, may my prayer be honest and real. Lastly, tell me, Lord, how much time I am to spend with You in prayer.

*Walford, William W., text; William B. Bradbury, music, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," The Hymnal, Word Publishing, Waco, Texas, 1986, p. 433.


Used with permission from Zondervan Publishing

For information on other books by Joni, disability training materials, Family Retreats and more, visit Joni online at www.joniandfriends.org