Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,Uttered or unexpressed;The motion of a hidden fireThat trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,The falling of a tear,The upward glancing of an eye,When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speechThat infant lips can try;Prayer the sublimest strains that reachThe Majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,Returning from his ways,While angels in their songs rejoiceAnd cry, “Behold, he prays!”

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath.The Christian’s native air,His watchword at the gate of death,—He enters heaven with prayer.

The saints in prayer appear as oneIn word and deed and mind,While with the Father and the SonSweet fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made by man alone,—The Holy Spirit pleads,And Jesus on th’ eternal throneFor sinners intercedes.

O Thou, by whom we come to God,The Life, the Truth, the Way,The path of prayer Thyself hast trod,—Lord, teach us how to pray!