Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire

1Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast.
He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.

2Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye When none but God is near.
He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.

3Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high.
He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.

4Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.
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.