Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,

Uttered, or unexpressed;

The motion of a hidden fire

That 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 speech

That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach

The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,

The Christian's native air;

His watchword at the gates of death;

He enters rest with prayer.

The saints in prayer appear as one,

In word, and deed, and mind;

While with the Father and the Son

Sweet fellowship they find.

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.