We Are Gathered for Thy Blessing

“We Are Gathered for Thy Blessing” by Paul Rader is a heartfelt revival hymn that calls believers to come together in unity and expectation before the Lord. Written in 1912, the song reflects Rader’s deep passion for evangelism and spiritual renewal. It embodies the atmosphere of early twentieth-century revival meetings, where believers assembled in prayer, song, and faith, seeking a fresh touch of God’s power.

The hymn begins with a reverent invitation: “We are gathered for Thy blessing, we will wait upon our God.” These words capture the attitude of believers who come before the Lord in humility and readiness to receive from Him. The central theme is expectancy—trusting that when God’s people assemble in His name, He will indeed manifest His presence and pour out His Spirit upon them.

Each verse builds upon this anticipation, emphasizing both divine promise and human surrender. The worshippers wait not in vain but with confidence in the unchanging character of God who delights to bless His children. The refrain, often sung with deep conviction, petitions: “Send the old-time power, the Pentecostal power! Thy floodgates of blessing, on us throw open wide!” This cry echoes the book of Acts, where the Holy Spirit empowered the early church to preach the Gospel with boldness and transform lives.

Paul Rader, known for his evangelistic fervor and leadership in the Christian and Missionary Alliance, wrote this hymn as a call to revival. He believed that the same Holy Spirit who filled the disciples at Pentecost could revive the church in his own generation. His hymns often expressed this hunger for God’s presence and his faith in the promises of Scripture. “We Are Gathered for Thy Blessing” stands out among his works for its clear expression of dependence on the Spirit rather than human strength.

Musically, the hymn is both stirring and reverent. The melody encourages congregational participation, inspiring unity and spiritual focus. When sung in prayer meetings or revival services, the song functions as both an invocation and a declaration of faith that God will indeed bless His waiting people.

The message of this hymn remains timeless. In an age of distraction and self-reliance, it reminds believers that true power in Christian life and ministry comes only from God. The hymn urges the church to return to the simple yet powerful act of waiting upon the Lord, as Isaiah 40:31 teaches: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”

“We Are Gathered for Thy Blessing” continues to invite every generation of Christians to unite in prayer, worship, and surrender. Its words express both a yearning for revival and a confidence that God’s presence among His people will always bring renewal, power, and joy. Through this hymn, Paul Rader’s legacy endures as a reminder that the Spirit of God still moves mightily when His people gather in faith and expectation.