INTRODUCTION
A hymn which encourages us to pray and give thanks in everything without ceasing. The text was written, under the penname of Vana R. Raye, and the tune (Pray) was composed both by Lloyd Otis Sanderson (1901-1992). It was copyrighted in 1948 by the Gospel Advocate Co. and first published in the 1948 Christian Hymns No. 2 which Sanderson edited for the Gospel Advocate Co. The hymn appears in numerous other hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ.
THE SONG reminds us of the need for God’s children to pray to their heavenly Father.
STANZA 1 tells us that prayer is something which many people fail to realize is important.
STANZA 2 tells us that prayer is the means by which we converse with God.
STANZA 3 tells us that prayer is a way in which we can find help in time of trial or grief
THE CHORUS exhorts to pray morning, noon, night, indeed any time.
CONCLUSION: To pray without ceasing does not mean to spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week, four weeks a month, twelve months a year for the entirety of our lives in nothing but prayer. However, it does mean that we should maintain a prayerful attitude and thus, whenever the need arises, be ready, willing, and able to "Pray All the Time."
SOURCE: Hymn Studies Blog
THE SONG reminds us of the need for God’s children to pray to their heavenly Father.
STANZA 1 tells us that prayer is something which many people fail to realize is important.
- The world has lost the right of prayer because for the most part it has turned to evil, and while the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears open to their prayers, His face is against those who do evil: 1 Peter 3:12
- Yet, even saints have often failed to pray as they should; James was writing to Christians when he said, "You do not have because you do not ask": James 4:1-2
- A lack of prayer shows that one is spiritually shortsighted, even to blindness of heart: 2 Peter 1:9
STANZA 2 tells us that prayer is the means by which we converse with God.
- While there were times when God spoke directly to men and through prophets, today He speaks to us through His Son: Hebrews 1:1-2
- Therefore, we can expect Him to speak in no other way than the inspired scriptures which His Son revealed: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- However, the means by which we communicate with our Father in heaven is through prayer: Matthew 6:9-13
STANZA 3 tells us that prayer is a way in which we can find help in time of trial or grief
- All of us will experience times of trial, grief, and pain in this life: James 1:2-3
- However, there is no moment of the day but that we can come to the Father in Jesus’s name: John 14:6, 13
- When we incline our souls and pray, we come before the throne of grace to find help in time of need: Hebrews 4:14-16
THE CHORUS exhorts to pray morning, noon, night, indeed any time.
CONCLUSION: To pray without ceasing does not mean to spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week, four weeks a month, twelve months a year for the entirety of our lives in nothing but prayer. However, it does mean that we should maintain a prayerful attitude and thus, whenever the need arises, be ready, willing, and able to "Pray All the Time."
SOURCE: Hymn Studies Blog
LYRICS
The world has lost the right of prayer,
And saints have failed to pray;
What loss sustained beyond repair!
How blind of heart are they!
CHORUS:
Pray in the Morning, Pray at the Noontime,
Pray in the Evening, Pray any time;
Pray when you’re happy, Pray when in sorrow,
Pray when you’re tempted, Pray all the time.
The Father speaketh in His word–
He talks no other way!
And to converse with Him, our Lord,
We must take time to pray.
[CHORUS]
There is no trial, grief, or pain,
No moment of the day,
But that we may in Jesus’ name
Incline our souls and pray!
[CHORUS]
And saints have failed to pray;
What loss sustained beyond repair!
How blind of heart are they!
CHORUS:
Pray in the Morning, Pray at the Noontime,
Pray in the Evening, Pray any time;
Pray when you’re happy, Pray when in sorrow,
Pray when you’re tempted, Pray all the time.
The Father speaketh in His word–
He talks no other way!
And to converse with Him, our Lord,
We must take time to pray.
[CHORUS]
There is no trial, grief, or pain,
No moment of the day,
But that we may in Jesus’ name
Incline our souls and pray!
[CHORUS]
HARMONY |
RENDITION |
