Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,

Unuttered or expressed,

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 heaven with prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice

Returning from his ways;

While angels in their songs rejoice,

And cry, “Behold, he prays!”

In prayer, on earth, the saints are one;

They’re one in word and mind;

When 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!