Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire

1. Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,Uttered on unexpressed,The motion of a hidden firethat trembles in the breast,

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

3. Prayer is the simplest form of speechthat infant lips can try,Prayer, the sublimest strains that reachthe Majesty on high,

4. Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,The Christian’s native air,His watchword at the gates of death;He enters heav’n with prayer.

5. Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,returning from his ways,While angels in their songs rejoice,And cry, “Behold, he prays!”And cry, “Behold, he prays!”

6. Nor prayer is made on earth alone,The Holy Spirit pleads,And Jesus at the Father’s thronefor sinners intercedes.

7. 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,O thou by whom we come to God,Lord, teach us how to pray.