C.M.
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 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 contrite sinner’s voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry. Behold, he prays!
5
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air;
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.
6
The saints, in prayer, appear as one
In word, and deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
7
Nor prayer is made on earth alone:
The Holy Spirit pleads;
And Jesus, on the eternal throne,
For mourners intercedes.
8
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.
