A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) ‎#99

99. What is Prayer?

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed,
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 Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice
Returning from his ways;
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”

In prayer, on earth, the saints are one;
They’re one in word and mind;
When with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

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!

Text Information

• First Line: Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
• Title: What is Prayer?
• Author: Montgomery
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1866

Tune Information

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