The New English Hymnal ‎#442

442. 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 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
• Author: James Montgomery, 1771-1854
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986

Tune Information

• Name: MENDIP
• Meter: CM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Traditional Somerset song collected by Cecil Sharp, 1859-1924