Lord’s Day, Vol. 4 No. 02
(1) Sweet Hour of Prayer
– A Song Carved in the Darkness
William Walford was an obscure lay preacher who owned a small novelty shop in the village of Coleshill, England. Although he had seen many “seasons of distress and grief,” his optimism and bright spirit always uplifted those who visited his shop.
One day in 1842 a minister, Thomas Salmon, stopped in Walford’s shop and found his friend had composed a poem. Walford asked him to take the words down as he recited them.
Three years later, Rev. Salmon visited the United States and showed the old carver’s poem to the editor of the New York Observer. The poem was first published in the September 13, 1845, issue.
Then, fourteen years later, in 1859, a copy of it came to the attention of the noted composer of early gospel music, William Bradbury. He saw in Walford’s poem material for a hymn, set it to music and published it.
Borne on the wings of Bradbury’s melody, the verse was soon sung around the world.
The reason William Walford has asked Rev. Salmon to take down his poem while he dictated it was because the old carver was blind. But in his night of physical darkness, God gave a song that has brought comfort to an innumerable company.
Walford’s familiar and beloved hymn reminds us of how sweet and precious is our hour of communion with God in prayer.
No matter how dark and difficult our days, our heavenly Father bids us to “cast on Him my every care” and find relief from our “sweet hour of prayer”.
This great hymn also calls us to spend more than a few hurried minutes in prayer, so that we can experience the rich blessings that come in spending time in the presence of God. It is the best “time” we will ever make for our soul and total wellbeing.
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 temper’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless;
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His word, and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
May I thy consolation share,
Till from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height
I view my home, and take my flight
This rope of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing thru’ the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”
This hymn of prayer can be found in Hymn #371 of the Revival Hymns and Choruses. [Extracted and edited from Songs in the Night by Henry Gariepy]
(2) First Anniversary of Youth Fellowship
Thank God for the first anniversary of BHBPC Youth Fellowship held on 2 January 2016 at the Praise Chapel. The message was entitled “Keep Yourselves from Idols” taken from 1 John 5:21.
An idol is an object of worship. Anything that takes the place of God in a believer’s life is an idol.
The aged Apostle John spoke with great concern. He addressed by a term of endearment “little children”. He wanted them to take heed of God’s solemn First Commandment – “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” He lovingly exhorted them to guard their relationship in Christ. Let Christ be central to their devotion. Let Christ be their first love. He exhorted them to realize the destructive effects of idolatry. [Life of Christ, Martyn Llyod-Jones]
For the past year, our youths have studied topics including Knowing Jesus Christ, Holy lives in the 21st century, True biblical friendship, Friendship and Relationships, Charismatism Q & A. We have recently started a new series on the Book of Revelation.
May God help our youths to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ in this New Year! Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee