July 27

Prayer in time of need

“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (Psa. 34:15).
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Psa. 18:6).

Trouble and fear are very spurs to prayer. I, in anguish of mind and vehement tribulation and affliction, called to the Lord, when not only the ungodly, but even my faithful brethren, yes, and my own self judged my cause irremediable. Therefore dare I be bold, in the verity of God’s Word, to promise that, notwithstanding the vehemency of trouble, the long continuance thereof, the desperation of all men, the fearfulness, danger, trouble and anguish of our own hearts, if we call constantly to God, that beyond expectation of all men, He shall deliver.
—John Knox.

When the busy world about me seems so filled with toil and care,
That the Spirit’s gentle voice is quite unknown,
Oft I slip into my closet and my Savior meets me there,
And we spend an hour before the Father’s throne.

When perplexing questions face me, and I know not where to turn,
And the evil one would tempt my heart to groan,
I have found there’s not a problem that I really want to learn
That we cannot solve before the Father’s throne.

When affliction adds its burden to the load already borne,
And my cherished hopes by adverse winds are blown,
It is there I seek the Savior, for His heart like mine was torn,
And we spend an hour together at the throne.

Yes, it’s true we have our troubles, and our little trials, too,
And our souls the tempter ne’er will leave alone;
But the blessed Lord has told us there is grace to help us through,
If we’ll only spend an hour before the throne.

Oh, the happy, secret hour! For His presence I do yearn,
What communion there have I with Christ alone!
Now my heart is caused to shout by the lessons that I learn
In that happy, secret hour before the throne!

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