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| 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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