The Hymnbook ‎#391

391. Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire

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

4 Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters 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!

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
• Title: Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire
• Author: James Montgomery (1818)
• Meter: C. M.
• Publication Date: 1955
• Scripture:
  Luke 11:1
  ;
  Acts 9:11
  ;
  Romans 8:26
• Topic: Christ: Way, The; Lent; Penitence; Prayer; Life in Christ: Prayer and Intercession

Tune Information

• Name: ST. AGNES
• Composer: John B. Dykes (1866)
• Meter: C. M.
• Key: G Major