The Power of Prayer

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O wondrous power of faithful prayer

Author: Charles Wesley
Published in 43 hymnals

Representative Text

1 O wond'rous power of faithful prayer!
What tongue can tell th' almighty grace?
God's hands or bound or open are,
As Moses or Elijah prays;
Let Moses in the spirit groan,
And God cries out! "Let me alone!"

2 "Let me alone, that all my wrath
"May rise the wicked to consume,
"While justice hears thy praying faith,
"It cannot seal the sinners doom;
"My Son is in my servant's prayer,
"And Jesus forces me to spare."

3 O blessed word of Gospel-grace,
Which now we for our Israel plead!
A faithless and backsliding race,
Whom thou hast out of Egypt freed;
O do not then in wrath chastise,
Nor let thy whole displeasure rise!

4 Father, we ask in Jesus's name:
In Jesus's power and spirit pray!
Divert thy vengeful thunder's aim!
O turn thy threatning wrath away!
Our guilt and punishment remove,
And magnify thy pardoning love!

5 Father, regard thy pleading Son,
Accept his all availing prayer,
And send a peaceful answer down
In honour of our Spokesman there!
Whose blood proclaims our sins forgiven,
And speaks thy rebels up to heaven.

Source: A Pocket Hymn Book: designed as a constant companion for the pious, collected from various authors (9th ed.) #HXVI

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Author: Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, M.A. was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, and was born at Epworth Rectory, Dec. 18, 1707. In 1716 he went to Westminster School, being provided with a home and board by his elder brother Samuel, then usher at the school, until 1721, when he was elected King's Scholar, and as such received his board and education free. In 1726 Charles Wesley was elected to a Westminster studentship at Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1729, and became a college tutor. In the early part of the same year his religious impressions were much deepene… Go to person page >

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