One Short Hour in Thy Presence

Lord, what a change within us one short hour 

Spent in Thy presence will prevail to make; 

What heavy burdens from our bosoms take, 

What parched fields refresh as with a shower. 

We kneel, and all around us seems to lower; 

We rise, and all, the distant and the near, 

Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear;

We kneel how weak; we rise how full of power! 

Why should we ever weak or heartless be,

Why are we ever overborne with care,

Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,

And joy, and strength, and courage are with Thee?

(a prayer of Richard Trent; image via pixabay.com)