What Is Prayer?

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
  Uttered or unexpressed;
The motion of a 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 try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
  The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
  Returning from his ways;
While angels in their songs rejoice,
  And cry, "Behold! He prays!"

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
  The Christian's native air;
His watchword at the gate of death--
  He enters heaven with prayer.

The saints in prayer appear as one
  In word and deed and mind;
Where with the Father and the Son
  Sweet fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made by man alone:
  The Holy Spirit pleads;
And Jesus, on the eternal Throne,
  For sinners intercedes.

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!

--James Montgomery, 1771-1854