p. 27 | Prayer | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 26, 1866

Prayer.

All night in prayer! oh how that word, Thrills through my soul with solemn sound. Its tone with agony is stored, Of One who bowed on the cold ground, With naught to shield his holy head, Save Heaven's canopy above, The gathering darkness, as it spread, Witnessed the fervor of his love.

All night in prayer! Thou blessed One, Didst thou kind nature's rest forego, That thou might'st wander forth alone, To brood o'er man's sad state of woe? Didst thou one long and sleepless night, Pour forth thy soul in ardent prayer, That man might choose yon world of light, And dwell with God and angels there?

All night in prayer! The starry train, And beauteous moon their vigils kept, Beholding from their bright domain, The form of him who often wept O'er human sorrows, toil, and care, And felt soft pity's kindling glow, And e'en was willing all to bear— To drink our bitter cup of woe.

All night in prayer! Did angels view, Prostrate in kneeling beauty bowed, While words which seraphs never knew, Reached far beyond yon glittering cloud. They told into his Father's ear, Of that sad day of coming pain, When from his side a soldier's spear, The life-blood's gentle flow should drain.

All night in prayer! Think, O my soul, For 'twas for thee he wrestled thus, To point thee to yon heavenly goal, Where every murmuring thought is hushed. Where peace, like rivers, flows along, The pure, celestial city wide, While all repeat the glorious song Of him who once for sinners died.

All night in prayer! Yes, O my Lord, My soul shall count those moments dear, When agony like thine was poured, In drops like blood, and sweat, and tears. Thus let me view, with solemn awe, The suffering scenes of Christ, the Lord, And from thy precepts ne'er withdraw, But follow thee at thy blest word. —Advocate and Guardian.