African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal ‎#342

342. 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 an 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
• Title: Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire
• Author: James Montgomery, 1771-1854
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2011
• Scripture:
  Ephesians 6:18
• Topic: The Christian Life: Prayer and Intercession; Prayer
• Notes: Alternate tune: ST. AGNES

Tune Information

• Name: HEBER
• Composer: George Kingsley, 1811-1884
• Meter: CM
• Key: B♭ Major