The hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer” is a beautiful and moving expression of the power of prayer.
The hymn was written by William W. Walford in 1844. It is one of the most popular hymns in the English-speaking world and has been translated into over 100 languages.
The lyrics express the joy and comfort that the poet finds in prayer and the hope that prayer can bring relief from distress and grief.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and explore the meaning with a detailed explanation of this beloved hymn. We will also discuss the importance of prayer in our lives and how it can help us to grow closer to God.
The Sweet Hour of Prayer lyrics verses
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” is a Christian hymn written by William W. Walford in 1844. It is one of the most popular hymns in the English-speaking world, and has been translated into over 100 languages. The lyrics express the joy and comfort that the poet finds in prayer, and the hope that prayer can bring relief from distress and grief.
The first verse of the hymn reads:
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.
The poet begins by describing the hymn as a “sweet hour” of prayer. This suggests that prayer is a time of joy and peace, a time when we can escape from the cares of the world and focus on our relationship with God. The poet then goes on to say that prayer “calls” them from the world of care. This suggests that prayer is a summons, a call to come away from the distractions of the world and enter into the presence of God.
The second verse of the hymn describes the poet’s experience of finding relief in prayer:
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!
The poet here describes how prayer has helped them through difficult times. They say that prayer has brought them relief from distress and grief, and has helped them to escape the tempter’s snare. This suggests that prayer is a powerful tool that can help us to overcome our challenges and grow closer to God.
The third verse expresses the poet’s faith in the power 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.
The poet here expresses their faith that prayer will be answered. They say that prayer will “bear” their petitions to God and that God will “bless” the waiting soul. This suggests that the poet has a deep trust in God’s love and mercy.
The hymn ends with a plea for God’s help:
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!
The poet here expresses their willingness to trust God and to cast their cares upon Him. They say that they will “wait” for the “sweet hour of prayer” when they can come before God and seek His face. This suggests that the poet has a deep desire to be in God’s presence and to experience His peace and comfort.
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” is a beautiful and moving hymn that has been a source of comfort and inspiration to millions of people. It is a reminder that prayer is a powerful tool that can help us through difficult times and bring us closer to God.
Meaning of Sweet Hour of Prayer lyrics
In this session, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and explore the meaning of this beloved hymn. Let’s get started at once by breaking the lyrics into parts.
1. The Sweetness of Prayer
The hymn begins by describing the sweet hour of prayer as a time of joy and peace:
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.
The poet uses the word “sweet” to describe prayer because it is a time when we can come before God and experience His love and presence. Prayer is a time to cast our cares and worries on God and to find peace in His loving arms.
2. Prayer as a Refuge from Care
The hymn goes on to say that prayer can be a refuge from care:
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!
Prayer can help us to find relief from the pain and suffering of life. It can also help us to resist temptation and to stay on the path of righteousness.
3. Prayer as a Source of Strength
The hymn also speaks to the power of prayer to give us strength:
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.
Prayer can give us the strength we need to face challenges and to overcome obstacles. When we pray, we are putting our trust in God and allowing Him to work in our lives.
4. Prayer as a Way to Connect with God
The hymn also emphasizes the importance of prayer as a way to connect with God:
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!
Prayer is a way to build a relationship with God. When we pray, we are opening our hearts to Him and allowing Him to speak to us.
5. Prayer as a Means of Receiving God’s Blessings
The hymn concludes by expressing the belief that prayer is a way to receive God’s blessings:
I’ll cast on Him my ev’ry care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
The poet believes that when we pray, God will hear our prayers and answer them. Prayer is a powerful tool that can help us to receive God’s blessings in our lives.
You can the audio file here (Sweet Hour of Prayer Audio File)
Final Words
The hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer” is a beautiful and moving expression of the power of prayer. The lyrics are full of hope and encouragement, and they remind us of the importance of prayer in our lives. If you are looking for a way to connect with God and to find peace and comfort in your life, I encourage you to pray.