Poems (Howard)/The Week of Prayer

by Hattie Howard

The Week of Prayer.

"A season of refreshing from
 The presence of the Lord"
Ensues when saints together come,
 And join in sweet accord
To praise the "Giver of all good";
 And, for His constant care,
To render heartfelt gratitude—
 As in the "Week of Prayer."

Impelled by one uplifting thought
 Came forth "the praying band"
From palace hall, or lowly cot,
 All over this broad land;
And who can doubt that from above,
 In heavenly realms of air,
The angels looked, in wond'ring love,
 And blessed the "Week of Prayer"?

By fireside, in busy mart,
 As by concerted plan,
A common impulse stirred the heart
 Of universal man
To consecrate the dawning year,
 In promise bright and fair,
To Him who have the thought sincere
 Of that first "Week of Prayer."

'T were meet, indeed, to choose one week
 From fifty-two or more,
For His benignity to seek,
 And clemency implore;
But every week throughout the year
 The same sweet name should bear
That every Christian must revere—
 The precious "Week of Prayer."

The golden years are passing by!
 May we in prayerful mood
Abide, until the end draws nigh,
 For "God is ever good,"
And richest blessings shall come down
 If we our hearts prepare,
And His approval fitly crown
 Each hallowed "Week of Prayer."