1 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,

   Uttered, or unexpressed;

The motion of a hidden fire

   That trembles in the breast.

 2 

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,

   The falling of a tear;

The upward glancing of an eye

   When none but God is near.

 3 

Prayer is the simplest form of speech

   That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach

   The 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 rest with prayer.

 5 

The saints in prayer appear as one,

   In word, and deed, and mind;

While with the Father and the Son

   Sweet fellowship they find.

 6 

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.