Music by William Howard Doane (1832-1915)

’Tis the blessèd hour of prayer, when our hearts lowly bend,

And we gather to Jesus, our Savior and Friend;

If we come to Him in faith, His protection to share,

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

Refrain

Blessèd hour of prayer, blessèd hour of prayer,

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

’Tis the blessèd hour of prayer, when the Savior draws near,

With a tender compassion His children to hear;

When He tells us we may cast at His feet every care,

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

Refrain

Blessèd hour of prayer, blessèd hour of prayer,

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

’Tis the blessèd hour of prayer, when the tempted and tried

To the Savior Who loves them their sorrow confide;

With a sympathizing heart He removes every care;

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

Refrain

Blessèd hour of prayer, blessèd hour of prayer,

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

At the blessèd hour of prayer, trusting Him, we believe

That the blessing we’re needing we’ll surely receive;

In the fullness of the trust we shall lose every care;

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

Refrain

Blessèd hour of prayer, blessèd hour of prayer,

What a balm for the weary, O how sweet to be there!

Fanny Crosby was probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blindness, she said:

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."