by Rev. Dr. MAriano C. Apilado
As part of the observance of the Season of Lent, whatever one’s religious background, or affiliation, the significance of pausing for prayer as a spiritual discipline cannot be over-emphasized. Prayer is as basic to our spiritual life as breathing is to our physical.
Religious writers have described the significance of prayer. Edwin Keith said, “Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.” Walter A. Mueller wrote, “Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble; prayer is a life attitude.”
There is a well-loved hymn among Christians of the Protestant tradition. However, the story of the writing of the hymn and the hymn, itself, present a message that is meaningful to everyone.
The origin of the hymn is that one day Thomas Salmon, a Congregational Church pastor, stopped at the shop of William A. Walford, a blind preacher who owned a small trinket shop in Colehill, Warwickshire, England.
The blind preacher had just completed a new poem on the subject of prayer and requested Pastor Salmon to compose music for the poem. Shortly after, Pastor Salmon visited the United States and showed the poem to the editor of the New York Observer. There in the United States, the hymn became popular, especially in the frontier areas.
The tune, “Sweet Hour” was composed in 1861 by William Batchewelder Bradbury, the noted composer of gospel music.
The prayer poem was soon sung around the world, presenting a basic truth – whenever we spend time in communion with God, the hour becomes sweet and meaningful in our lives. During the Season of Lent, meditate and reflect solemnly upon the lyrics of the hymn.
“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 tempters snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”
Pausing for prayer provides comfort and relief no matter what cares, what distress and what grief one encounters.
“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 in him my every care, And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.”
Pausing for prayer is a reminder of the nearness of God who provides companionship for one’s daily journey.
“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 robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise to seize the everlasting prize. And shout while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer.”
Pausing for prayer provides daily spiritual provision in the present world towards one’s everlasting destination.
Truly, prayer is as basic to our spiritual life as breathing is to our physical.
