The Pleasures and other Miscellaneous Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

THE HOUR OF PRAYER.

Haste thee! haste thee! hour divine!
Joys ecstatic—bliss is thine!
And raptures from the throne above—
Sweeter thou, than life to me,
When the world and cares do flee,
And Jesus speaks in tones of love,
O time of prayer! O hour divine!
Ecstatic joys and peace are thine.

Brighter thou, than sunny rays:
Holiest time of all my days:
O hour of love and joy draw nigh!
Spread my faith thy eagle wings:
Speed thee, where each angel sings—
Where Jesus pleads thy cause on high—
O time of prayer! O hour divine!
Ecstatic joys and peace are thine.

Now is come the hour of prayer,
Gracious, loving Saviour hear;
Stoop thee from thy throne above,

Bless me, bless me, Son of God!
Shed thou, in my heart abroad,
Thy saving grace, thy dying love.
O time of prayer! O hour divine!
Ecstatic joys and peace are thine.

O Jesus! thou, my portion art—
Sun of my life—joy of my heart:
O raptures! bliss! O God of Love!
Exalt my thoughts—my hopes—my soul
Higher than where the planets roll—
Quite to thy dazzling throne above!
O time of prayer! O hour divine!
Ecstatic joys and peace are thine.