Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
uttered or unexpressed,
the motion of the 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 pray;
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 heav'n with prayer.
O thou by whom we come to God,
the Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer thyself has trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
- James Montgomery, 1771-1854
