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| WHEN is the time for prayer? | |
| With the first beams that light the morning’s sky, | |
| Ere for the toils of day thou dost prepare, | |
| Lift up thy thoughts on high; | |
| Commend the loved ones to his watchful care: | 5 |
| Morn is the time for prayer! | |
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| And in the noontide hour, | |
| If worn by toil, or by sad cares oppressed, | |
| Then unto God thy spirit’s sorrow pour, | |
| And he will give thee rest:— | 10 |
| Thy voice shall reach him through the fields of air: | |
| Noon is the time for prayer! | |
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| When the bright sun hath set,— | |
| Whilst yet eve’s glowing colors deck the skies;— | |
| When the loved, at home, again thou ’st met, | 15 |
| Then let the prayer arise | |
| For those who in thy joys and sorrow share: | |
| Eve is the time for prayer! | |
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| And when the stars come forth,— | |
| When to the trusting heart sweet hopes are given, | 20 |
| And the deep stillness of the hour gives birth | |
| To pure, bright dreams of heaven,— | |
| Kneel to thy God—ask strength, life’s ills to bear: | |
| Night is the time for prayer! | |
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| When is the time for prayer? | 25 |
| In every hour, while life is spared to thee— | |
| In crowds or solitudes—in joy or care— | |
| Thy thoughts should heavenward flee. | |
| At home—at morn and eve—with loved ones there, | |
| Bend thou the knee in prayer! | 30 |
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