Lord, Teach Us to Pray (Part Two)

James Montgomery penned these words about 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 gates of death:
He enters Heaven with prayer.

Thou by whom we come to God,
The life, the truth, the way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us to pray.”

By Debi Bell