In this busy life of service
Preaching Christ from day to day,
We have learned the Master's tactics;
But we've never learned to pray.

Dispensations, grace and missions,
Trust in Jesus, then obey;
Yes, we know the fundamentals,
But we don't know how to pray.

We've tried methods; we've tried prizes,
We have preached until we're gray;
How much more we would accomplish
If we'd just take time to pray.

We, like Martha, want to serve Him,
Do His will without delay,
But we never once remember,
that He'd rather have us pray.

We are still like little children
"Now I down to bed me lay."
How it just must grieve the Father,
That we haven't learned to pray.

Are you tired in His service?
"No results," you maybe say.
It's no wonder we're fruitless,
When we don't take time to pray.

Praying first and praying always--
It's God's blessed holy way;
We can't do one thing for Jesus,
Till we've taken time to pray.

Let us put on God's whole armour,
Fight the battle, don't dismay!
For we're now much more than victors,
Since we've taken time to pray.

John H. Sanford