Sweet Hour of Prayer

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

Have you wondered how Jesus spent entire nights in prayer? What did he pray about?

I have prayed a lot in my life, but my prayers are usually short. After a few minutes I can't find anything else to pray about. My family is covered. When they are going through difficult times, I include their specific problems in my prayers. And before I finish my prayer, I ask God to take care of all my family just to make sure everybody is included*. A few days ago, I decided to pray for my Facebook friends and what a surprise--time was not enough!

Early in the morning I opened Facebook on my phone and started praying for my long list of friends, although not necessarily in this order. I prayed for Eric, who lost his grandfather and had to wait to pay his respects to avoid putting his grandmother in harm's way. I prayed for Sharon, who lost a dear friend to suicide. I prayed for Maria, who lost her brother to cancer. I prayed for Mark, who lost his mother, Linda, a vibrant, enthusiast, and caring piano teacher. I prayed for Marlene, who lost her dear father. I prayed for my friend and best man in our wedding, Allen, who lost his mother. So many deaths! I still feel the pain of losing my father to cancer some years ago. I asked the Lord to show them that there's still hope in the middle of sorrow and pain.

I prayed for Jim's wife, Andrea, who was hospitalized, very weak and unable to eat much. I prayed for Rafael's brother who was hospitalized and fighting for his life against COVID-19. He has dedicated his life in service for people's health. I prayed for Mercedes, who has a heart for service but her husband, Gerry, is suffering a terrible illness.

As I continued reading my friends list, I found many who have reasons to be thankful and praise the Lord. I gave thanks to God for Lisa, who's cancer free after a surgical procedure. I thanked God for Brittany's mom, who donated a kidney and is recovering. I thanked God for Nancy, who leads Sabbath School for teens every weekend. I praised God for Dorla, Alexia, Elizabeth, and Florence, whose children have graduated from high school and are bound for college. I know the excitement as our own daughter is graduating as well. I praised the Lord for Ashley, who just graduated from the Marine Corps and for Brennen, who graduated as an Air Force pilot. By the way, they both used to be my piano students, so I'm very proud of them. I praised the Lord for Vanessa and Indalecio, who welcomed a new baby, as well as Jerald and Karen for their first baby. I praised God for Veriah and Reuben who recently married. I praised the Lord for Jimmy and his wife Brittany, who not only have a thriving business but are helping many others start and grow their own businesses. I praised God for the energy and sheer enthusiasm for life He gives to Evan and Daniella as they become professional skydivers. I asked for his special care and protection as they jump from the sky. I continued through my list but by now, the sun was already shining on the horizon.

I realized that it would be impossible to pray for all my friends in the list that morning. I was not even able to cover 2% of them. Please don't be upset with me if your name was not mentioned here. I promise I will eventually reach your name and will pray for you. However, I discovered that there's so much to pray about, that entire nights are not enough. Would you pray for your Facebook friends too? If we pray for each other, this world will be a better place for everyone.

1
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!

2
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!

3
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.
In my immortal flesh I'll rise
To seize the everlasting prize.
And shout while passing through the air,
"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"

Words by W. W. Walford

*that phrase was intended as a little joke because I know that we can't manipulate God through prayer.