Hymnal: The Christian Hymnal
Date: 1871
Compiler: Under direction of the Christian Hymn-Book Committee
Publisher/Printer: Bosworth Chase & Hall
First Line: What various hindrances we meet
Topic: The Church/Prayer and Social Meetings
Writer: <no first name given> <no last name given>
Composer: J Powell
Meter: LM
Tune: Mercy-Seat
Hymn Number: 411
Page Number: 149, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsWhat va-rious hin-dran-ces we meet
In com-ing to a mer-cy seat!
Yet who, that knows the worth of prayer,
But wish-es to be of-ten there?
Prayer makes the darkened clouds 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 armor bright,
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
Have you no words? Ah, think again;
Words flow space when we complain,
And fill a fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all our care.
Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To heaven in supplication sent,
Our cheerful song would oftener be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me?"