1 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
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 the 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 heaven with prayer.

5 Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And say, "Behold, he prays."

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!