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HYMN HISTORY: Sweet Hour of Prayer

19/1/2015

8 Comments

 
Picture
William Walford  (1772–1850) of Coleshill, England, was a simple wood carver with no education, yet he had a very sharp memory and held the reputation of “knowing the Bible from heart”—an impression given by the fact that this humble Englishman was able to quote the Scriptures accurately, including the precise chapter and verse, in spite of being absolutely blind! Walford relied on others to read the Scriptures to him which he then rehearsed and committed to memory as he whittled away bone to make shoe horns, or wood to make trinkets.  

Walford’s mind so dwelt upon Scripture, and his communion with the Lord was so sweet, that this humble little man was often asked to share a sermon at the Congregational services he attended. The overflow of the Word of God within him also came forth in the form of poetry.  

One day around 1845, when Pastor Thomas Salmon visited Walford, Walford shared a poem about prayer which he had perfected unto memory and he asked Salmon to write it down for him. Salmon, seeing the beauty of the poem, sent it off for publishing as a poem but it was not until a number of years after Walford’s death that the poem was set to music by William Bradbury, at which time the poem then flew around the world upon the wings of its popularity and was translated in to several foreign languages. The Hymn is “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”
 SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

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!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”


Picture
8 Comments
Sadye Rubin link
12/1/2017 01:29:42 am

My name is Sadye Rubin and the church where I attended, we would sing this song all the time. Then I never thought to research of who may have written it or why they wrote it but I'm gald I did.It is beautiful and speaks to the soul and spirit of and individual.

Reply
Pamela Burrell
17/7/2017 08:56:35 am

I had a dream last night that I was singing this song in church and the words spoke to me deeply as never before so much so that I woke up in tears. I had to research the author of this song whose words reached me so deeply.

Reply
Elreado Bankersingh link
7/1/2018 02:03:38 pm

I was just preparing my message for today when I heard this hymn playing. It brought tears to my eyes -- because without prayer we cannot witness to a dying world. May God bless you.

Reply
Florence Petersen link
17/1/2018 11:52:55 am

This song was sung at the beginning of our prayer hour this morning; and we were encouraged to reflect on the words. The history behind songs is so important, and I was blessed and encouraged to read about William Walford, for whom prayer and the Word were so deeply woven in his heart. The fact that he was blind makes it so much more inspiring. I am challenged to make a greater commitment to God's Word and the fellowship of His Spirit through prayer.

Reply
Jennie Parker
16/3/2018 04:16:26 pm

Florence, I am a 74-year-old great grandma. Growing up in church this hymn frequently came before Prayer. Those old sweet hymn’s that so adequately expressed the emotions, and needs of mankind also tell the story of a compassionate Father full of grace and mercy, the shed blood of his son, and Savior of the world,Jesus Christ. Humanity could never be worthy of anything, but through His grace His gifts are given to all who will answer His call.
“And he died for all that they would usually have should no longer live unto themselves but I want to ham who died for them and rose again” (2 corinthians 5:15).

Reply
Henry Odhiambo link
25/6/2018 08:29:56 am

I remember this song very well when it was sung at the burial of my grandmother in 1986, as a child i saw tears of my mum roll away as her mother was being taken down the grave, William Walford touched my heart. This rob of flesh i'll drop and rise. Amen!

Reply
Mark Jones
8/5/2020 05:51:51 pm

What saddens me is that there are younger folks who don't know this beloved hymn.

Reply
Jorim Agwena
22/5/2020 10:00:51 pm

This is very powerful.In our church fellowship this is one of most inspiring song we normally enjoys singing

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    Limerick City Church

    We are a church that has a real burden for the city of Limerick. We are praying that many will experience true salvation in Christ and that the Lord will pour out His Holy Spirit in a genuine revival.

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