Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#398

398. Prayer is the soul's sincere desire

1 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed;
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 contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, "Behold, he prays!"

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

6 The saints in prayer appear as one
In word, and deed, and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

7 Nor prayer is made by man alone,--
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus on th'eternal throne
For sinners intercedes.

8 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
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1918
• Topic: Catechism

Tune Information

(No tune information)