Exhortation to Prayer

What various hindrances we meet

In coming to a mercy-seat!

Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,

But wishes to be often there?

 

Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw

Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,

Gives exercise to faith and love,

Brings every blessing from above.

 

Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;

Prayer makes the Christian’s armour bright;

And Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.

 

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,

Success was found on Israel’s side;

But when through weariness they failed

That moment Amalek prevailed.

 

Have you no words? Ah! think again,

Words flow apace when you complain,

And fill your fellow-creature’s ear

With the sad tale of all your care.

 

Were half the breath thus vainly spent

To heaven in supplication sent,

Your cheerful song would oftener be,

“Hear what the Lord has done for me.”

(William Cowper, Cowper’s Poetical Works, 289.)