Prayer :: By Nathele Graham

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

I admire people who seem to overcome the challenges in life by serving God with all their heart. I think of Fanny Crosby, who was blind but still wrote hundreds of hymns that are still favorites over a century later. She was blind, yet lived a very satisfying life as she served the Lord.

Then there’s Terry James, who is also blind. He loves the Lord and is a very prolific author. He also speaks at prophecy conferences and is Todd’s partner at Rapture Ready.

I also admired my husband, Ron, and I watched him grow stronger in his faith as his health failed. He had a neuro-muscular disease, and his muscles just wouldn’t work. He couldn’t hold his eyelids up, so when he studied Scripture or typed his commentaries, one hand would hold his eyelids up while the other typed.

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2). 

Another man who was able to overcome the challenges of blindness was William W. Walford. He was born in 1772 and became a preacher. Although he was blind, it is said that he never misquoted Scripture and his sermons were inspiring and to the point. He also wrote one of the most touching hymns ever written. As my own eyesight is failing and other troubles that come with age set in, I’m grateful for the inspiration of people who have faced challenges in life but glorify God in spite of it all.

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

By William W. Walford (1772-1850)

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!

We all have troubles and challenges in life. Too often, we think that once we give our life to Jesus, life will be easy. Not so. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The words to Sweet Hour of Prayer seem to come from the heart of a man who spent much time in prayer. Did Mr. Walford pray for healing of his eyes? Did he pray for members of his congregation? Maybe he prayed for guidance in his walk with the Lord. Like all of us, he faced times of great distress and grief in life, as well as temptations. It was prayer… talking with God…where he found peace.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).

Do you know that when you pray, you come before Jesus? Your prayers do rise above the ceiling and to God. If you think about it, that’s very humbling. You can talk to Jesus about everything, and He will hear. He will answer your prayer, but you need to accept His answer. He won’t give you something that will cause you harm or lead you away from Him.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). What a blessing that is!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows his face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Have you ever been a part of a community prayer time? Or even a prayer service in your own congregation is a blessing. I once lived in a town where an hour of prayer was held weekly. It was held in a secular setting, and all Christians were welcome to attend. We prayed for individuals and for our little town. We also prayed for our federal government and world problems. It was a very good experience, and I looked forward to it. God loves to hear from His people.

The first disciples saw Jesus praying many times, and they learned from His example. After they saw Jesus ascend into Heaven, they returned to an upper room and prayed. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14).

God is always with us, but He wants to talk with us. Talk with Him, but listen for His reply.

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!

Jesus encouraged His listeners to seek the Lord rather than material gain. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

What shall be added? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of how God cares for His creation. Flowers are adorned in beauty, but it’s God who designed them. Birds are able to find food even in winter; God provides, He cares for His creation and will care for people even more. Do you have clothing? Do you want more clothing that is fancier? Perhaps you should pray and see if God wants you to be content with what He has provided. Do you have food to eat? It may not be top sirloin or lobster tail, but simple foods are delicious. God will provide.

I’m sure Mr. Walford found contentment with his life. He was blind but used his mind to seek the Lord with all his heart. He prayed and loved his time spent in prayer.

I sometimes think of all the conveniences I enjoy each day that my ancestors didn’t have, yet they loved God and passed their love on to each generation. My great-great-grandfather was a preacher who traveled from congregation to congregation on horseback. It would have been much easier if he had a car, but that was many years before cars came along, and he was determined to serve the Lord. I’m sure he talked to God as he rode his horse through summer heat and winter storms.

Do you pray and seek the Lord as you drive to your job each day in a comfortable vehicle? That’s a much better way to spend the commute than listening to secular songs. Seek the Lord in prayer, and listen for His reply.

Today, we can find so much to be anxious and troubled over. The state of the economy, the war in the Middle East, radical leftists trying to destroy America, and so much more. We are living at the end of time, and the Rapture will happen soon. Hopefully, you don’t face the challenge of William Walford in that you are blind. You can read your Bible and study prophecy. If you do that, you will know that we are in perilous times.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).

Pray about this season of time we are in. Don’t slack off from studying your Bible and praying. Be sure to care for brothers and sisters in Christ and witness to the lost. You don’t have to set a specific hour aside for prayer. Lately, it seems as if God has been waking me up in the wee hours of the morning. I try to go back to sleep but can’t. I use that time to pray. I pray for the protection of God’s people in this war in the Middle East, I pray for people I know who need to give their hearts to Jesus, I pray for friends who are facing health problems, I pray for my family who are facing challenges, and much more. I do enjoy that time spent in prayer. It’s a blessing that Jesus wants to talk with me.

So, as we come to the end of this age, draw closer to God. There are many anxieties in this life. We see war raging in the Middle East, we see violence in city streets, we see public schools teaching our children things that shouldn’t be taught, AI is taking over jobs and grows more powerful by the day. Our refuge from all of this is prayer.

Pray often, listen for His answer, and submit to His guidance. Sweet hour of prayer!

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

[email protected]

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

The post Prayer :: By Nathele Graham appeared first on Rapture Ready.