December 29, 2018 (Saturday)
W.W. Walford, known as “The Blind Preacher,” was an ordinary man with a great mind and a strong memory. He had no formal education, but it is said he memorized the entire Bible. He dictated the words of this hymn to Rev. Thomas Salmon, who copied them in pencil, then sent them to The New York Observer for publication in 1845. In this manner one of Christendom’s favorite hymns was born.
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SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
W. W. Walford
1845
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!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, 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!
Click here to hear Alan Jackson sing this hymn
