1 The Lord, who truly knows
The heart of ev'ry saint,
Invites us by his holy word,
To pray and never faint.

2 He bows his gracious ear;
We never please in vain;
Yet we must wait till he appear,
And pray, and pray again.

3 Tho' unbelief suggest,
Why should we longer wait?
He bids us never give him rest,
But be importunate.

4 'Twas thus a widow poor,
Without support or friend,
Beset the unjust judge's door,
And gain'd at last her end.

5 And shall not Jesus hear
His children when they cry?
Yes, tho' he may awhile forbear,
He'll not their suit deny.

6 Then let us earnest be,
And never faint in pray'r;
He loves our importunity,
And makes our cause his care.