Prayer will at last an answer gain

1 Pray'r will at last an answer gain,
Sure none shall seek the Lord in vain!
Tho' Jesus may at first delay,
None shall be empty sent away.

2 A certain passage we do read,
Proves it to be the case indeed:
A heathen woman fill'd with grief
Did come to Jesus for relief.

3 With fervent pray'r his help she sought,
Truly at first he answer'd not;
And in his turn he signified,
That she should ever be denied.

4 He first concealed what he meant,
By saying, I am only sent,
To grant relief and help to those
Of Jacob's race, whom God hath chose.

5 But still a more distressing word
Was then express'd by Christ the Lord;
I ought not take the childrens bread
And give to dogs that they be fed.

6 Yet all this drove her not away,
But caus'd her with more warmth to pray:
Have mercy Lord, O pitty me!
My trust for help is all in thee.

7 She own'd she was not Israel's seed,
But could be call'd a dog indeed;
But that would not take childrens bread,
Though dogs should with the crumbs be fed.

8 The Saviour then was forc'd to yield,
And with those words his mind reveal'd;
O! Woman, thou must have relief,
Undoubted, great is thy belief.

9 Here may we learn, here may we know;
What faith with humble pray'r can do;
Should we who are of christian race,
Not persevere to gain such grace?

Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #LV