Most of us are good when it comes to our prayer life and spending a few moments or maybe even twenty or thirty minutes in prayer is not a difficult thing to do. But do you think you could pray for a full hour, or two, or three? Personally, I struggle to stay focused on the task, and my attention tends to wander. If this is you too, could it be that we don’t have the patience or are we sincerely ‘just too busy?’
Yet, we read in the 6th chapter of Luke, beginning in verse 12 that Christ, ‘…went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.’ Or we could consider Matthew 14:23 as it reads, “…He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” Though we don’t know how long He was on the mountain, ‘there alone’ we do know that during the 4th watch of that night He came to His disciplines as they were on the sea. The ‘4th watch’ would have been sometime between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM. So we can assume that Jesus was praying for at least an hour or two or three, but more likely it was six or seven hours. Still, I ask myself (and you)…could I pray for a full hour?
On Monday evening, July 16, 2018 more than 70 brothers and sisters in Christ came together at the Faith Village church of Christ in Wichita Falls, Texas and together we spent 60 plus minutes in prayer. No preaching, no Bible class, just praying on behalf of our brethren. The young and old alike took time to bow their heads, focus on the family of God and raise our petitions before His throne. But before we took that hour to pray, we sang a song that calls us to consider our time in prayer. Notice the message of this hymn, the prayer, that was written in 1845 by W. W. Walford;
“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.”
Follow the four basic thoughts found in this verse. First, prayer is our opportunity to step away from the cares of this world. We must focus on God if we want a ‘sweet hour’ of prayer. Second, it’s a time we can take the ‘wants’ of our hearts and the ‘wishes’ we so desperately seek directly to the throne of God. And, true heart-felt prayer can be a relief for our souls during times (seasons) of trouble and sorrow. Don’t think you’re free from distress and grief. We live in a world of pain and sorrow, but God gives us peace in Christ. Fourth, consider how blessed you are that in prayer you can escape the clutches of Satan. Only in prayer and solely through the grace of God will we endure, but we must take time to pray.
Next week we’ll look at verse two and as we draw July, 2018 to a close we’ll consider the third verse in this beautiful hymn. So in the meantime find the peace and the ‘sweet’ blessing of taking time (maybe even an hour) to pray!
Written in 1847, Henry Lyte wrote the words to the hymn, Abide with Me as a prayer seeking God’s presence in life and death. Some contend that this hymn isn’t Biblical considering God is ‘with us always,’ Matthew 28:20. But I would encourage the reader to remember the words of Christ in John 15:5-6…“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.“As we sing this song, let me encourage you to recognize the ‘prayer’ that is being offer within these words. The first verse is an understanding of how soon until this life is over (fast falls the even tide). But I’ve always been moved by the second verse which says Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day (the days of our life are flowing away quickly and); Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away (all the wonder and glory of life will fade and pass away). Still we know and realize that…Change and decay in all around I see (everything I see around me is dying, it’s a fact of life.) And yet, Thou who changest not… abide with me! That is my plea, and that is what I long for. “In life and death, O Lord, abide with me!”
The above video doesn’t includes all five of the verses, but listen and notice the words of each verse as you seek the Father and strive to live so that He will… Abide with Me.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see— O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
According to the scriptures, if someone sins against me I should forgive him 490 times! At least as a kid that’s what I thought when I read the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 18. Peter asked Him, “…how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? But Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but up to seventy times seven (70×7=490).”
Maybe we need to consider our motivation when it comes to forgiveness. In the Bible we recognize the number 7 as a ‘perfect’ number, so is Jesus trying to say perfection is found in forgiveness? Join us Sunday morning as we consider, “the Mystery of Forgiveness.”
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, July 6, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Let God Arise” – 471
Taken from the words of King David (Psalm 68), we sing the text; “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.” Our God is mighty to save and this song is a great way to sing that reminder of His power and strength. Interestingly enough our second verse, “Our God arose and His enemies were scattered…” gets it’s basis from the 76th Psalm, “…the earth feared and was still when God arose to judgment…”
“Faith is the Victory” – 469
One of my favorite spiritual songs that is more of a call to battle then we might think. Notice verse one; “…ye Christian soldiers, rise, and press the battle…against the foe…let all our strength be hurled…” And then verse two; “…our sword the Word of God…” Verse three; “To him that overcomes the foe…we’ll vanquish all the host of night…” But this extra, less known verse; “On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array. Let tents of ease be left behind and onward to the fray. Salvation’s helmet on each head with truth all girt about, the earth shall tremble ‘neath our tread and echo with our shout…Faith is the Victory!” God’s people realize this is a battle against the forces of darkness. So the question comes, are you ready and willing to fight?
“If I Have Wounded Any Soul Today” – no book
This old hymn (it is indeed a prayer) dates back to the turn of the century and fits well with our lesson this morning, ‘forgiveness.’ How often do we live each day in ‘our own willful way’ not concerned about the needs of others. Perhaps the third verse strikes me the hardest; “If I have been perverse, or hard or cold, if I have longed for shelter in Thy fold, when Thou hast given me some fort to hold, Dear Lord, forgive.” It’s not just intentional sins that we need to seek His forgiveness, but also the thoughtless, careless sin in our lives.
“In Loving-Kindness” – 504
The second verse of this song captures our thoughts for the Lord’s Supper; “His brow was pierced with many a thorn, His hands by cruel nails were torn, when from my guilt and grief, forlorn (my feeling of desperation), in love He lifted me…” Let’s take this opportunity as we remember His sacrifice. Singing this verse, we will do just that.
“Nearer, My God to Thee” – 684
(The first video is a traditional arrangement, the second is from Vocal Point, both are great!) Sung between the Lord’s Supper and the Contribution, this hymn/psalm retells the story of Jacob as he flees from the wrath of his brother Esau. Using a pillow for a stone (Genesis 28:11) and dreaming of ‘a ladder reaching to heaven,’ we translate that Old Testament account to present day. (Verse two; “Tho like a wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer my God, to Thee…”
“Did You Think to Pray?” – 848
‘Before you left your room this morning, ‘Did you think to pray?’ It’s a simple question…As you started the morning, was God included in your waking hours? Drawing from the third verse we’ll bear in mind our theme for this morning’s lesson; “When your heart is filled with anger, did you think to pray? Did you plead for grace, my brother, that you might forgive another who has crossed your way?” Prayer…don’t leave home without it!
“Jesus Is Coming Soon” – 712
In the quiet morning hours of December 7th, 1941 thousands of lives were shattered as Pearl Harbor was bombed, and America stood at the threshold of war. It’s no wonder that within a matter of months R.E. Winsett penned the words, “Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear, freedom we all hold dear now is at stake…” Christians, we must ‘awake,’ stand against the spiritual onslaught of the devil and humble our hearts to God. Why…because Jesus has said, “Behold! I am coming quickly…” (Revelation 22:12)
“I Need Thee Every Hour” – 837
Not your typical invitation song, but one that we must use to come to understand how helpless we are with out God. In life we strive to prove that we are self-sufficient, ‘I don’t need anything.’ Or do we? As we sing the third verse we proclaim, ‘come quickly and abide, or life is vain…‘ We do need Him if we are to make it through life, but the questions is…are we willing to go to the Savior? “O bless me now, my Savior; I come to Thee!”
“Sing to Me of Heaven” – 716
This popular spiritual song, written 100 years ago, is a call for Christians to encourage one another with the promise of heaven. As we forgive one another, we share a commonality with our Savior. “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Singing to each other about heaven will help lift the ‘burdens…that are pressing so…‘. The mystery of forgiveness is great, and reflects the glory of our Father in heaven.
In your prayer life, what do you most ask of God? For good health, for comfort and success, for world peace? Jesus said in Mark chapter 11, verse 24, “…all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them…” So in our prayers we ask as we have been directed, “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7) and we offer thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18). But again, when you pray…what do you most ask for?
Baylus McKinney, a musician and song writer in the early 1900’s, penned the words to dozens of Christian hymns. But one particular song is a prayer seeking God’s blessing on the home. Though it encompasses only one request, “God give us Christian homes,” there are four different elements noted as we sing. What does it take to have a Christian home? What elements did McKinney see fit to ask of God as we seek this blessing?
First of all, we seek homes where the Bible is not only loved by the family, but taught to the children. Homes where God’s will is a priority and sought after on a daily basis. Another element of a ‘Christian home’ is one with a father who is truthful and strong. Strengthened to know the difference between right and wrong and leading his family heavenward. A father who teaches his family love, joy, and the importance of praising God in song. A third element of a Christian home comes by way of the mother who conducts herself with dignity, in ‘queenly quest.’ She lives so as to show all those who pass through her door that life is best lived following God’s word. A mother who brings glory and honor to the King of Kings. And finally, as we ask for a Christian home we must remember to pass on the legacy to the children. Children who know that Christ loves them and died for them. A Christian home where the children understand what it means to sacrifice. Not offering a lamb on a stone altar, but laying down our lives for the glory of our God.
For a Christian home, we need 1) God’s word, 2) a Godly father and 3) mother who will teach 4) their children God’s ways. We offer prayers daily; thanking our Father in heaven for His blessings and asking for His guidance. Today, when you bow your head in prayer, what will you ask for? Would that we individually and collectively pray for the fathers, mothers and children, that we strive to raise up Christian homes.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “Jonah?” A man who ran from God? Or perhaps you envision a giant fish (a whale) that swallowed and sustained him for 3 days and 3 nights (Jonah 1:17). Or maybe you’ll remember a city destined for destruction, only to be spared because of this reluctant preacher. Some may even conjure up the image of a wonderful vine that grew within a matter of hours and then withered just as quickly (Jonah 4:10). Whatever you think about when you hear about this reluctant, soaked to the bone, disgruntled (yet effective) preacher there is an image that we must consider and hold in our hearts.
In the 2nd chapter of the book of Jonah, as he sits in the clammy, dark stomach of this monstrous sea creature (without a match) Jonah does something we all seem to do when we’re in trouble. Verse one states, “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord…” This prophet of God prayed a prayer of repentance. In complete and utter darkness he saw the err of his ways and knew the only hope of salvation would come from the God he so desperately tried to hid from. We when are faced with death, we eagerly pray for God’s help. As terror strikes at the heart, we cry out for God’s comforting hand. Like Jonah, when the world swallows us, we turn to God and ask for His deliverance.
There will be times in life when you feel ‘tossed over-board’ and swallowed by the storms of life. Is that when you pray? I realize we need to bow before God’s throne when we make mistakes (miss the mark…SIN) and when life is crushing in, but don’t let that be the only time you pray. Jonah’s problem seemed to come in his failure to totally comprehend God’s providence and saving power. Look again at the book of Jonah and then ask yourself…”when DO I pray?”
Mary Kidder penned the words to an old spiritual song that, in essence, asks this same question; “Ere (Before) you left your room this morning, did you think to pray? In the name of Christ our Savior, did you sue (request/plea) for loving favor, as a shield today? O how praying rest the weary! Prayer will change the night to day; so when life seems dark and dreary, don’t forget to pray.”
Concerning a particular situation or a specific set of circumstances some might said, ‘What a coincidence!’ But how do we know if something is coincidental (lucky) or if it’s more likely providential? Often we look at life and see it as lucky or unlucky, black or white and yet all the while we might be missing the point. Perhaps we come up short of giving God the credit He deserves for working in our lives. Perhaps we need to be better about recognizing and seeing that God’s hands are working in ways we can not see. (Remember the song “God Will Make a Way.”) After all, don’t we pray for Him to be with us?
Consider two Christian song writers from this century; Chisholm and Sanderson. T.O. Chisholm was a well renowned American song writer during the early 1900’s. Many of his 1,200 works of Christian poetry have found their way into some of our hymnals. In 1960, at the age of 94, Chisholm passed from this life. His works are well documented but we’ll consider one that was born on a lonely, dark night.
Another well noted writer and composer from the same era was L.O. Sanderson. Sanderson was a preacher of the gospel as well a noted musician. He is recognized as one who wrote the words and music to many of our gospel songs. He was born in 1901 and passed away in 1992, at the age of 91. Like Chisholm, Sanderson penned the music to one particular song in the dark hours of the night. Perhaps it’s not surprising that these two men combined their talents to produce some ‘greats songs of the church.’
It was recorded that one night around midnight, Sanderson was working alone in his office. He had been preparing his sermon for the coming Sunday morning, but a new, specific tune kept running through his mind. To satisfy his musical creativity, he stopped his study and jotted down the musical notes. In a few short weeks he sent the music to his friend, T.O. Chisholm, and inquired of him if had any poetry to fit the scales. As Chisholm reviewed the work of his friend, he found the musical bars (the meter, 11.10.11.10) were a perfect fit for the poetry he penned, “Be with me, Lord – I can not live without Thee, I dare not try to take one step alone, I cannot bear the loads of life, unaided, I need Thy strength to lean myself upon…”
As the two friends compared notes and asked each other questions about this specific work, they found that they both had similar circumstances surrounding their endeavors. Both were working late one night (after midnight to be precise), and both were preoccupied with some specific words, a specific tune, floating within their mind. They were struggling to accomplish one task while trying to embrace this new song. And yet both were unable to be resolution to their struggle until they put their music, poetry, to paper. The extraordinary piece of this puzzle was that both men were creating this song of praise and affirmation some 1000’s of miles apart. Could it have been a coincidence or just plain lucky? Was this just a great accident of hymnology or was our God, the Great Composer, at work in creating a hymn for His people to sing for the ages?
Two men of God, in two separate towns divided by hundreds of miles sitting in their respective offices churning out their own contribution to this hymn of prayer. Perhaps Chisholm’s inspiration in the third verse explains this more clearly; “…a constant sense of Thy abiding presence, where ‘er I am, to feel that Thou art near.”
A young, southern boy was sitting down to the breakfast table with his older brothers and sisters, ready to feast on momma’s pancakes. As the youngest in this family finally gets his plate of hotcakes, his momma asked if he’s ready for some molasses. With all the southern slang the little boy had grown up with, he innocently replies; “How can I have mo’ lasses when I hasn’t had any yet?”
A comical story about a little boy’s understanding of ‘more,’ but an idea I’d like for us to follow for while. As we consider wanting/needing ‘more’ of something perhaps we should ask the obvious, more of what? On a tangible level, we might want more money, more help, or more vacation time. But in reality we might say we want more strength, more understanding, or more time. But either way we tend to want ‘more.’
The hymn we will be examining is focused on our lives and the holiness we aspire to. Written and composed by Philip Bliss in 1873, this song repeats the word ‘more’ twenty-four (24) times. With just three short verses what could we possible be praying for more of? Look deeper at how much ‘more’ we should be aspiring for.
In verse one alone we seek (sing); more holiness, more striving, more patience and more sorrow. More faith, more sense, more joy and more purpose. One by one let’s consider what are we asking God to give us ‘more’ of:
1) More holiness give me… Holiness, by definition, is the state of being set apart. We are asking to be set apart for God’s service. Read Titus 2:11-14, through Christ we are redeemed to God, “…a people for His own possession.” We are called to be holy. Deuteronomy 7:6, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God…”
2) More strivingwithin… why would we pray for striving? It indicates we are looking for an inter-struggle. A fight against our human nature of worldliness. Paul explained it when he wrote, “…I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate…” Romans 7:14-15. Consider how many times you’ve said, ‘I wish I hadn’t done that.’ In short, we need ‘more striving within.’
3) More patience in suffering. Again, read the text in James 1:1-2, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” Not something we want or look forward to, but something we know we need, patience.
4) More sorrow for sin. This alone should make us stop and think about our life. Do we feel regret, guilt or sorrow when we sin? Not when we’re CAUGHT in sin, but for our sinful acts. We sing (and pray) that we’d be more sorrowful for our sin. Philip Bliss would agree, more conscience of our sin.
5) More faith in my Savior. What does it take for us to strengthen our faith? Perhaps we find the same sentiments from the father of a young boy in Mark 9. You’ll remember the discussion Jesus had with the man until the boy’s father in desperation cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief.” In other words, I need more faith in my Savior.
6) More sense of His care. How much does God care about you? Do you understand (can you sense) how much you matter to God? “For God so loved the world…” We do have some realization of His care. But do you care enough to concern yourself with Him? If we had the sense to realize His gift (Christ on the cross) we’d do all we can to give Him our all.
7) More joy in His service. Many of us equate serving to working. Who finds joy in their work? Paul states it best in Colossians 3:24, “…do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…” When our heart is right with God, then we’ll service (work) with joy.
8) More purpose in prayer. Why do you pray? Do you have an objective when you bow in prayer or is it just a routine, something you’re supposed to do? What is your purpose? We pray for the sick, for those who are traveling, for those who are hurting…we have a purpose, don’t we? I Corinthians 14:14, 15 (one of my favorite passages), “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also…” In other words, be purposeful in prayer.
We’ll continue the study of this song in later weeks, but until that time take a look at the other two verses; there are still sixteen more ‘mores’.
Most of us are good when it comes to our prayer life and spending a few moments or maybe even twenty or thirty minutes in prayer is not a difficult thing to do. But do you think you could pray for a full hour, or two, or three? Personally, I struggle to stay focused on the task, and my attention tends to wander. If this is you too, could it be that we don’t have the patience or are we sincerely ‘just too busy?’
Follow the four basic thoughts found in this verse. First, prayer is our opportunity to step away from the cares of this world. We must focus on God if we want a ‘sweet hour’ of prayer. Second, it’s a time we can take the ‘wants’ of our hearts and the ‘wishes’ we so desperately seek directly to the throne of God. And, true heart-felt prayer can be a relief for our souls during times (seasons) of trouble and sorrow. Don’t think you’re free from distress and grief. We live in a world of pain and sorrow, but God gives us peace in Christ. Fourth, consider how blessed you are that in prayer you can escape the clutches of Satan. Only in prayer and solely through the grace of God will we endure, but we must take time to pray.
Written in 1847, Henry Lyte wrote the words to the hymn, 
