Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,

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.