Prayer and Dependence on God

Where it surfaces

• Walking with God

  The entire poem is a prayer, expressing dependence on God for renewal, forgiveness, and the strength to overcome idols.

• My Name Is Jacob

  The speaker's persistent prayer and refusal to let go of God until he receives a blessing.

• Manna Hoarded

  The poem concludes with a prayer for God to give the manna, highlighting the believer's ongoing dependence on God for spiritual life.

• Gibeon

  The narrator cries out to the Lord in distress, acknowledging weakness and dependence on divine help.

• Hannah; or the Throne of Grace

  The poem emphasizes approaching the throne of grace in prayer as the source of relief and strength.

• Ask What I Shall Give Thee

  The entire hymn is a prayer, encouraging the soul to bring large petitions to the King, trusting in His willingness to answer.

• Another

  The poem centers on the proper posture of prayer, recognizing that God must first teach us to ask aright.

• Another

  The entire poem is a prayer, urging boldness in approaching God and dependence on his provision.

• More with Us Than with Them

  The prophet's prayer is central to revealing the heavenly host, and the saints' prayers support the believer.

• Oh That I Were as in Months Past!

  The speaker's prayers, though now felt as mere noise, are directed to God, and the final plea is for God's mercy.

• The Change

  The speaker pleads for God to hear and return, acknowledging that God taught his heart to pray, and expresses dependence on divine grace.

• Pleading for Mercy

  The entire chapter is a prayer for mercy, relief, and salvation, demonstrating a complete dependence on God's intervention.

• What Shall I Render?

  The narrator resolves to take the cup of salvation and call upon God, drawing a plea from God's gifts to ask for more.

• The Contrite Heart

  The speaker's entire poem is a prayer, expressing dependence on God to break or heal the heart, and to renew strength.

• The Covenant

  God promises to put a praying spirit in the hearts of His people, showing that prayer is a gift from Him.

• Prayer for the Lord’s Promised Presence

  The entire hymn is a prayer for the Lord's presence, expressing dependence on Him for peace, protection, and joy.

• The Beggar

  The entire poem is a prayer of a beggar, emphasizing total dependence on God's mercy and the necessity of persistent prayer.

• The Woman of Canaan

  The chapter illustrates the importance of persevering prayer and dependence on God's grace, as the woman's plea is eventually answered.

• The Ruler's Daughter Raised

  The poem teaches that prayer is often our last resort, but it is the only true source of help when all human means fail.

• The House of Prayer

  The poem contrasts the heart as a 'den of thieves' with the ideal of a 'house of prayer,' highlighting the need for God's presence to enable true communion.

• The Importunate Widow

  The chapter emphasizes the necessity of persistent prayer and the assurance that God hears his chosen ones, even when he seems to delay.

• 108: The Believer’s Danger, Safety, and Duty

  Christ's intercessory prayer secures faith, and believers are called to watch and pray, acknowledging that without the Lord's keeping, all efforts are in vain.

• Another

  The poem is itself a prayer, expressing dependence on God to decide the state of the soul and to begin or increase grace.

• Peter Released from Prison

  The hymn emphasizes that fervent, persevering prayer is the assured resource of faith and can overcome any obstacle.

• Book II: On Occasional Subjects

  The chapter extensively explores the power and necessity of prayer, with examples from Moses, Hezekiah, Peter, and Elijah, and encourages believers to rely on God through prayer.

• I: Seasons

  The hymns are filled with prayers for mercy, renewal, and spiritual growth, acknowledging dependence on God's power and promises.

• Death and War. 1778

  The poem concludes with a prayer for the youth, asking the Lord to teach them saving truth and be their refuge, demonstrating dependence on God.

• Before Annual Sermons to Young People on New-Year’s Evenings

  The hymns are largely prayers for blessing, grace, and revival, emphasizing dependence on God's power and mercy.

• Prayer for a Blessing

  The entire hymn is a prayer for God's blessing, presence, and mercy.

• Another

  The entire hymn is a prayer, emphasizing the necessity of fervent prayer to bring down gracious answers from the throne.

• Casting the Gospel Net

  The entire hymn is a prayer for God's help, presence, and power in the new year.

• Pleading for and with Youth

  The entire hymn is a prayer for the youth, expressing dependence on God to save and alarm them.

• Prayer for Children

  The entire poem is a prayer, pleading for God's mercy and protection for children, and relying on the blood of Christ.

• Elijah's Prayer

  Elijah's prayer is the central act, demonstrating reliance on God to prove His sovereignty and answer with fire.

• The Rod of Moses

  The poem is a prayer for God's help in ministry, for the conversion of sinners, and for the blessing of the youth, showing complete dependence on God.

• A Prayer for Power on the Means of Grace

  The entire hymn is a prayer acknowledging total dependence on God for the effectiveness of the means of grace.

• David’s Charge to Solomon

  The entire hymn is a prayer, pleading for God's presence, guidance, and blessing on the children and the place of worship.

• The Prayer of Jabez

  The entire hymn is a prayer modeled after Jabez, emphasizing the believer's dependence on God for mercy, guidance, and protection.

• Travailing in Birth for Souls

  The poem emphasizes the preacher's continual prayer and striving, and concludes with a prayer for God's blessing, acknowledging that only God can give the increase.

• Winter

  The speaker responds to spiritual desolation with humble prayer and patient faith, trusting in God's promise.

• Saturday Evening

  The entire hymn is a prayer seeking blessing, pardon, grace, and God's presence, demonstrating a complete dependence on Him.

• The Close of the Year

  The lyrics express reliance on God for help, answered prayers, and casting future cares upon Him.

• Another

  The speaker casts cares upon the Lord and asks for help to praise and trust.

• II: Ordinances

  The chapter extensively explores the power and necessity of prayer, portraying it as a means of obtaining divine help, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining spiritual vitality.

• On Opening a Place for Social Prayer

  The entire hymn is a prayer, expressing dependence on God for inspiration, presence, and blessing in the new place of worship.

• Another

  The hymn highlights the power of prayer to strengthen faith, sweeten care, and bring heaven before the eyes of believers.

• The Lord’s Day

  The hymn is a prayer of thanksgiving and petition, acknowledging dependence on God for spiritual blessings.

• Another

  The power of united prayer is highlighted, and the believer's dependence on God for help and comfort is emphasized.

• Prayer for the Continuance of the Gospel

  The chapter centers on the community's prayer for the continuance of the gospel and their dependence on God to hear and answer their cries.

• A Famine of the Word

  The poem concludes with a prayer for preservation from a famine of the word, showing dependence on God's mercy.

• Prayer for Ministers

  The entire poem is a prayer for ministers, acknowledging their need for divine grace and strength.

• Prayer for a Revival

  The entire poem is a prayer, expressing total dependence on God for revival and help.

• Hoping for a Revival

  The speaker is encouraged to wrestle at the throne of grace and to rely on God's love and power, highlighting the importance of persistent prayer.

• On Prayer

  The chapter is entirely devoted to the practice and power of prayer, highlighting it as the means to access divine help and strength.

• Exhortation to Prayer

  The entire poem is an exhortation to prayer, emphasizing its necessity and power in the believer's life.

• Power of Prayer

  The entire hymn centers on the efficacy of prayer and the believer's dependence on God for help and deliverance.

• On the Commencement of Hostilities in America

  The saints are urged to unite in wrestling prayer, hoping that mercy may yet spare the nation.

• Fast Day Hymns

  The hymns emphasize the necessity of prayer for national deliverance and personal safety, as seen in Moses' intercession and the call to 'weep and mourn and pray.'

• Confession and Prayer. Dec. 13, 1776

  The entire hymn is a prayer for mercy and forgiveness, acknowledging dependence on God's grace.

• Moses and Amalek

  The poem emphasizes that victory comes through prayer, not military strength.

• On the Fire at Olney. Sept. 22, 1777

  The poem emphasizes that prayer prevailed and saved the town, highlighting the power of the praying few.

• At Parting

  The hymn is a prayer for safety, strength, and future reunion, expressing dependence on God's mercy and care.

• The Sea

  The speaker's cry 'Lord, save me, or I sink' exemplifies dependence on God in times of trouble.

• II: Seeking, Pleading, and Hoping

  The speakers repeatedly turn to prayer, pleading for mercy and relying on God's promises, as seen in 'Seeking the Beloved' and 'Rest for Weary Souls.'

• Encouragement

  The soul's only recourse is to cry out to Christ, who answers prayer; the examples of the thief and Manasseh show that prayer for mercy is met with forgiveness.

• The Waiting Soul

  The soul's persistent prayer and humble waiting at mercy's door exemplify a complete dependence on God's grace.

• The Effort

  The speaker approaches the mercy-seat in prayer, pleading God's promise and seeking rest and refuge.

• The Effort-in Another Measure

  The entire poem is a prayer, approaching the mercy-seat with humility and pleading God's promise.

• Welcome Cross

  Trials give new life to prayer and bring the believer to God's feet in humility.

• Temptation

  The speaker cries out to the Lord from the depths, acknowledging weakness and relying wholly on divine care and protection.

• Looking Upwards in a Storm

  The entire hymn is a prayer, expressing total reliance on God in the midst of affliction.

• The Valley of the Shadow of Death

  The speaker cries out to the Lord for help, acknowledging their need for divine intervention to overcome the enemy.

• Mourning and Longing

  The speaker expresses dependence on God for grace and answers to prayer, even in a season of spiritual dryness.

• Rejoice the Soul of Thy Servant

  The speaker struggles with prayer but pleads for willingness to ask, recognizing God's readiness to give.

• Bitter and Sweet

  The centrality of the mercy-seat and the struggle to pray amidst distractions.

• Prayer for Patience

  The entire poem is a prayer to the Lord for patience and grace to endure trials without complaint.

• Submission

  The entire poem is a prayer, expressing dependence on God for strength and guidance.

• Return, O Lord, How Long?

  The poem is a direct prayer to God, expressing dependence on His presence for joy and protection.

• The Prisoner

  The poem is a direct prayer to the Saviour, pleading for mercy and intervention to break the bonds of unbelief and restore freedom.

• Prayer Answered by Crosses

  The speaker's prayer for growth is answered, but in a way that teaches deeper dependence on God rather than immediate comfort.

• Retirement

  The poem highlights the importance of prayer and praise in a quiet retreat, and the speaker's total dependence on God as the author and guardian of life.

• The Hidden Life

  The poem opens with the pleasing task of telling the Saviour all wants, highlighting the believer's dependence on God in prayer.

• True Pleasure

  The poem is a prayerful expression of the soul's dependence on God for joy and increase of comforts.

• The Child

  The poem is a direct prayer to God, expressing dependence on Him for daily needs and future guidance.

• Dependence

  The believer is encouraged to retreat beneath God's wings and confide in his grace, acknowledging total dependence.

• The Sluggard

  The poem ends with a prayer for Christ's power to overcome spiritual sloth.

• Short Hymns

  The hymns are prayers for divine assistance, blessing, and provision, highlighting the believer's total dependence on God.

• Before Sermon

  The entire chapter is a prayer for spiritual nourishment, guidance, and blessing, highlighting the congregation's reliance on God.

• Chapter 89

  The chapter is a prayer asking God to feed and satisfy the believers.

• Chapter 90

  The chapter is a direct prayer to the Lord for inspiration, teaching, and provision of light and power.

• Chapter 91

  The chapter is a direct prayer, expressing dependence on God's promise, command, and word.

• Hungry and Faint and Poor

  The entire hymn is a prayer of dependence, acknowledging that without God's provision, they would starve.

• Psalm 106:4–5

  The entire chapter is a prayer, expressing dependence on God for salvation and joy.

• Chapter 95

  The chapter emphasizes that without God's presence and blessing, all outward means are ineffective, highlighting dependence on Him.

• Chapter 102

  The entire chapter is a prayer for divine peace and blessing, demonstrating a posture of dependence on God.

• Chapter 103

  The entire chapter is a prayer, acknowledging God's knowledge of our needs and our dependence on His power and pardon.