361 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,

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 cry, "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.