Our Desire

‘It came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’
—Luke 11:1

‘Pray’r is the soul’s sincere desire,
Utter’d or unexpress’d,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

‘Pray’r is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

‘Pray’r is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Pray’r the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.

‘Pray’r is the christian's vital breath,
The christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gate of death—
He enters heav’n with pray'r.

Pray'r is the contrite sinners’ voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And say,—“Behold he prays.”’
—James Montgomery