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1819
PRAYER is the soul’s sincere desire, | |
| Uttered or unexpressed; | |
| The motion of a hidden fire, | |
| That trembles in the breast. | |
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| Prayer is the burthen of a sigh; | 5 |
| The falling of a tear; | |
| The upward glancing of an eye, | |
| When none but God is near. | |
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| Prayer is the simplest form of speech | |
| That infant lips can try; | 10 |
| Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach | |
| The Majesty on high. | |
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| Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice, | |
| Returning from his ways; | |
| While angels in their songs rejoice, | 15 |
| And cry,—“Behold! he prays!” | |
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| Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, | |
| The Christian’s native air; | |
| His watchword at the gates of death: | |
| He enters heaven with prayer. | 20 |
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| The saints in prayer appear as one | |
| In word and deed and mind, | |
| While with the Father and the Son | |
| Sweet fellowship they find. | |
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| Nor prayer is made by man alone; | 25 |
| The Holy Spirit pleads; | |
| And Jesus, on the eternal throne, | |
| For sinners intercedes. | |
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| O Thou by whom we come to God, | |
| The Life, the Truth, the Way; | 30 |
| The path of prayer Thyself hast trod | |
| Lord, teach us how to pray. | |
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