THE CHURCH
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

(C. M.) M. H. B. 533

by JAMES MONTGOMERY, 1771-1854.

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
"God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth", John 4:24
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try,
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways
While angels in their song rejoice
And cry: behold he prays.
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gate 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. Amen.