Stanza 1
Our Lord, who knows full well
The heart of every saint;
Invites us, by a parable,
To pray and never faint.
Stanza 2
He bows his gracious ear,
We never plead in vain;
Yet we must wait, till he appear,
And pray, and pray again.
Stanza 3
Though unbelief suggest,
Why should we longer wait?
He bids us never give him rest,
But be importunate.
Stanza 4
'Twas thus a widow poor,
Without support or friend,
Beset the unjust judge's door,
And gained, at last, her end.
Stanza 5
For her he little cared,
As little for the laws;
Nor God, nor man, did he regard,
Yet he espoused her cause.
Stanza 6
She urged him day and night,
Would no denial take;
At length he said, "I'll do her right,
For my own quiet sake."
Stanza 7
And shall not Jesus hear
His chosen, when they cry?
Yes, though he may awhile forbear,
He'll help them from on high.
Stanza 8
His nature, truth and love,
Engage him on their side;
When they are grieved, his bowels move,
And can they be denied?
Stanza 9
Then let us earnest be,
And never faint in prayer;
He loves our importunity,
And makes our cause his care.