What Various Hindrances We Meet

What va­ri­ous hin­dranc­es we meet

In com­ing to a mer­cy seat?

Yet who that knows the worth of pray­er

But wish­es to be oft­en there.

Prayer makes the dark­ened cloud with­draw

Prayer climbs the lad­der Ja­cob saw;

Gives ex­er­cise to faith and love

Brings ev­ery bless­ing from ab­ove.

Restraining pray­er

we cease to fight;

Prayer makes the Christ­ian’s ar­mor bright;

And Sa­tan trem­bles

when he sees

The weak­est saint up­on his knees.

While Mo­ses stood with arms spread wide

Success was found on Is­ra­el’s side;

But when thro’ wea­ri­ness they failed

That mo­ment Ama­lek pre­vailed.

Have you no words? Ah

think again

Words flow apace when you com­plain;

And fill your fel­low crea­ture’s ear

With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vain­ly spent

To Heav’n in sup­pli­ca­tion sent;

Your cheer­ful song would oft­en­er be

Hear what the Lord has done for me!