174. Pray, Ye Christians, Hallowed Be

1. Pray, ye Christians, hallowed be
With the unction holy!
May Christ’s Spirit occupy
And control you solely.
Hourly forth
From your mouth,
May there be proceeding
Fervent prayer and pleading.

2. Hallow now the flame of God
Of your spirit’s yearning:
Christ for you once shed His blood,
E’er to Him be turning!
Let Him see
Incense free
To His throne appealing,
When in prayer you’re kneeling.

3. Prayers of those who are God’s own,
Though their lips may falter,
Are poured out before God’s throne
On the holy alter.
Christ is there,
Hears each prayer,
Great High Priest and Savior
Of His servants ever.

4. God thus hears most graciously
All the prayers we offer,
And the angels glad will be
Worship there to proffer
To the Lord,
In accord
With us poor and lowly,
To God, high and holy.

5. Incense of the saints by grace
Truly much availeth!
On the coals our grains we place,
To God who ne’er faileth!
Even now
Let us bow,
Joined by love’s communion
In a sacred union.

6. If a single fervent prayer
Of one soul believing
Finds with God a hearing ear,
Its goal is achieving, -
How much more
Will He hear,
When they all together
Pray unto the Father!

7. If saints here, and those above
By God’s glory lighted, -
Men and angels, in true love,
All should be united,
And one prayer
Would rise there, -
With what praise abounding,
Heav’n would be resounding!

8. O the strength and might unknown
Of the Christians’ praying;
Without this could not be done
All they are essaying;
Thus alone
There is won
Vict’ry o’er deceivers,
Triumph for believers!

9. Mount in spirit up to God,
Pray ye without ceasing;
Holy hands lift up to God,
Earnestness increasing!
Hallowed there,
Every prayer,
That to God is winging,
Grace and strength is bringing.

10. All your prayers that now aspire
To your God in heaven
Should thus be an holy fire
On His alter given;
Worldy fire,
False desire,
Should not then be blended
With what hath ascended.

11. Pray ye that time’s latter end
Quickly may be nearing,
That our Lord may soon descend
For His great appearing.
Come then all,
Great and small,
Join the angels’ yearning
For our Lord’s returning!

12. Prayers from inmost depth of heart
Find the Master’s favor,
And the Christian’s highest art
Is to please the Savior.
So should we
Watchful be,
Waiting, hoping, longing
For His second coming.

13. But this longing must before
In thy soul be gleaming;
Then from out each prayer will pour
Thunder, lightning streaming,
That goes forth
O’er the earth,
Till foes quake before thee,
And give God the glory!