1 Fervent persevering prayers
Are faith's assured resource;
Brazen gates and iron bars,
In vain withstand their force;
Peter when if prison cast,
Though by soldier's kept with care;
Though the doors were bolted fast,
Was soon released by prayer.
2 While he slept, an angel came
And spread a light around;
Touched and called him by his name,
And raised him from the ground;
All his chains and fetters burst,
Every door wide open flew;
Peter thought he dreamed, at first,
But found the vision true.
3 Thus the Lord can make a way
To bring his saints relief;
'Tis their part to wait and pray,
In spite of unbelief;
He can break through walls of stone,
Sink the mountain to a plain;
They to whom his name is known,
Can never pray in vain.
4 Thus in chains of guilt and sin,
Poor sinners sleeping lie;
No alarm is felt within,
Although condemned to die;
'Till descending from above
[Mercy smiling in his eyes]
Jesus, with a voice of love
Awakes and bids them rise.
5 Glad the summons they obey,
And liberty desire;
Straight their fetters melt away
Like wax before the fire;
By the word of him who died
Guilty prisoners to release;
Every door flies open wide,
And they depart in peace.
Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians, 1803