The Book of Praise ‎#660

660. 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 simplest form of speech
that infant lips can try,
prayer the sublimest strains that reach
the Majesty on high.

3 Prayer is the contrite sinners' voice,
returning to the way,
while angel's in their songs rejoice,
and cry, "Behold, they pray."

4 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
the Christian's native air;
our watchword at the gates of death,
we enter heaven with prayer.

5 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: Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
• Author: James Montgomery, 1771-1854
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 Cm
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1997
• Scripture:
  Psalm 8:1-2
  ;
  Psalm 39:2
  ;
  Jeremiah 20:9
  ;
  Matthew 6:5-15
  ;
  Luke 11:1-4
  ;
  Luke 15:7
  ;
  Luke 15:10
  ;
  John 14:6
• Topic: Jesus Christ: Way, Truth, Life; One Life in Christ: Discipleship; Prayer / Prayers / Poems
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: ST. AGNES, DURHAM

Tune Information

• Name: REDHEAD 66 (METZLER)
• Composer: Richard Redhead, 1820-1901
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 Cm
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Public Domain