James Holme (1801-1882) was an English clergyman, poet, and hymn writer associated with the Church of England. He was born in 1801, the son of T. Holme of Orton, Westmorland. He received his university education at Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1825. In the same year, he was ordained and began his ministry in the Church of England. His clerical appointments included the Incumbency of Low Harrowgate, the Vicarage of Kirkleatham, and later the charge of Bolton, near Bradford. Through these appointments, Holme served different congregations while also pursuing his literary and devotional interests. He died in 1882.

Holme was also a published author and poet. Among his literary works was Leisure Musings and Devotions, published in 1835, a collection that included devotional poetry. One of the hymns later associated with his name, "God My Father, Hear Me Pray," appeared in this earlier publication on page 117. Although it was subsequently included in the Anglican Hymn Book in 1868 and dated 1861, John Julian established that its original appearance was in Leisure Musings and Devotions in 1835. Holme also published Mount Grace Abbey, a poem issued in 1843. His literary interests included religious reflection and sacred poetry, bringing together his clerical vocation and his work as a writer.

In 1861, Holme collaborated with his brother, the Reverend T. Holme, on Hymns & Sacred Poetry, published by the Christian Book Society. Several hymns associated with James Holme appeared in this collection or in later hymnbooks. "All Things Are Ours, How Abundant the Treasure," classified under Praise in Sickness, was taken from Hymns & Sacred Poetry and later appeared in Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory in 1872. Another composition, "Lord Jesus, God of Grace and Love," intended for Holy Communion, also came from the 1861 collection. "God My Father, Hear Me Pray," classified for Lent, was another of his devotional compositions, although it had been published much earlier in 1835.

John Julian considered Holme's hymns and sacred poetry worthy of attention by editors compiling children's hymnbooks. His surviving hymn contributions reflect an interest in prayer, praise, Christian devotion, and the worship of the church. Although he is not among the most widely represented English hymn writers, his publications preserve examples of nineteenth-century devotional poetry written by a clergyman whose literary work developed alongside his pastoral ministry.