Sweet Hour of Prayer

William W. Walford (1772–1850) was a blind, uneducated English lay preacher and bone carver. Despite his lack of formal education, he possessed a phenomenal memory, memorizing nearly the entire Bible. Around 1845, he composed the gentle, comforting lines of 'Sweet Hour of Prayer' in his mind, describing prayer as a sanctuary that carries our requests to the Father. He recited the poem to a friend, who wrote it down and had it published, bringing comfort to millions of praying believers.

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 tempter'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 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

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