556
L. M.
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?
2 Prayer makes the darkened clouds withdraw;
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
3 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.
4 Have you no words? Ah, think again;
Words flow apace when we complain,
And fill a fellow-creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all our care.
5 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!”
Cowper.