The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#454

454. Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire

1 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or exprest,
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 pray'r.

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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
• Title: Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire
• Author: James Montgomery (1818, alt.)
• Meter: C.M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Luke 11:1
• Topic: Prayer

Tune Information

• Name: BURFORD
• Meter: C.M.
• Key: f minor
• Source: "Psalmody," John Chetham, 1718