Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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REJOICING AND PRAYER. |
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REJOICING AND PRAYER.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.”
—1 Thessalonians, v. 16, 17.
How can we evermore rejoice,
In sorrow, care, and toil?
Or ceaseless prayer uplift its voice
Amid the world's turmoil!
In sorrow, care, and toil?
Or ceaseless prayer uplift its voice
Amid the world's turmoil!
Not of ourselves, can we command
This joy's unfailing lot;
Nor can our hearts themselves expand
In prayer which ceaseth not.
This joy's unfailing lot;
Nor can our hearts themselves expand
In prayer which ceaseth not.
The power of faith, the aid of grace,
The Spirit must prepare,
Ere it can be the dwelling-place
Of constant joy and prayer.
The Spirit must prepare,
Ere it can be the dwelling-place
Of constant joy and prayer.
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But when prepar'd by power divine,
The heart, though vile before,
Becomes of ceaseless prayer the shrine,
Rejoiceth evermore.
The heart, though vile before,
Becomes of ceaseless prayer the shrine,
Rejoiceth evermore.
Not from itself that gladness flows,
For it may often ache;
Yet, aching, can rejoice in woes
Endur'd for Jesu's sake.
For it may often ache;
Yet, aching, can rejoice in woes
Endur'd for Jesu's sake.
Nor in itself, for one brief hour,
Dwells prayer's exhaustless gift,
The Saviour's name, the Spirit's power,
The soul must thus uplift.
Dwells prayer's exhaustless gift,
The Saviour's name, the Spirit's power,
The soul must thus uplift.
Where these are known, nor grief, nor care,
Its hopes can e'er destroy;
Its vital breath is humble prayer;
Its life is grateful joy.
Its hopes can e'er destroy;
Its vital breath is humble prayer;
Its life is grateful joy.
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