Prayer is the soul's sincere desire

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,Unuttered or expressed;The motion of a hidden fireThat trembles in the breast.Prayer is the burden of a sigh,The falling of a tearThe upward glancing of an eye,When none but God is near.Prayer is the simplest form of speechThat infant lips can try;Prayer, the sublimest strainsThat 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 Heav’n with prayer.Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,Returning from his ways,While angels in their songs rejoiceAnd cry, “Behold, he prays!”The saints in prayer appear as oneIn word, in deed, and mind,While with the Father and the SonSweet fellowship they find.No prayer is made by man aloneThe Holy Spirit pleads,And Jesus, on th’eternal throne,For sinners intercedes.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.