January 11

Prevailing prayer


“And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (Gen. 32:26).

Miss Winkworth’s translation of Dessler’s hymn expresses the energy of a soul determined to find not only blessing, but the One Who gives the blessing:

“I will not let Thee go, Thou help in time of need!
Heap ill on ill,
I trust Thee still;
Even when it seems that Thou wouldst slay indeed!
Do as Thou wilt with me,
I yet will cling to Thee;
Hide Thou Thy face; yet help in time of need;
I will not let Thee go!”

It requires much courage to be alone with God, to elect to retire for a time, and even for long times and to listen to His voice only. It requires more courage than is needed to meet human opposition or to battle with an outward enemy, and is altogether different from worship in the congregation with others around us.


Let everyone who doubts this make the trial, in humble determination, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me,” until Thou admittest me to the inner sanctuary of Thy presence, and speakest to me. For it is then that the keen searchlight of His presence reveals the innermost recesses of the soul, so that the creature who has been bold enough to seek such a solitary interview with the Creator, shall fall on his face, as Daniel did, in self-abasement: “I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days.” It is then that all which is self, all subtle egotism—the egotism which takes such a multitude of forms—is searched and hunted out of the soul. It cannot live in His presence. The praise of men becomes as dust beneath the feet, and the soul trembles even to receive any honor of men, or to be recognized in this world as of any worth.—Josephine Butler.

When one that holds communion with the skies
Has filled his urn where these pure waters rise,
And, once more mingles with us meaner things,
It is as though an angel shook his wings;
Celestial fragrance fills the circuit wide,
That tells us whence these odors are supplied.

“And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ”(1 John 1:3).

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