GHS 164 : Prayer Is The Soul’s Sincere Desire Lyrics
GHS 164, “Prayer Is The Soul’s Sincere Desire,” is widely regarded as one of the finest definitions of prayer ever expressed in verse. Written by James Montgomery in 1818 in response to a request for a hymn on prayer, the hymn works through prayer from its most basic form to its highest expression: from the unspoken motion of a hidden fire in the breast, to the burden of a sigh or the falling of a tear, to the simplest infant syllables, to the sublimest strains that reach the throne of God. No form of genuine desire toward God, however inarticulate, is excluded from the definition.
The climactic stanza declares that prayer is the Christian’s vital breath and native air, the watchword at the gates of death, and the key by which the believer enters heaven. This hymn appears as number 164 in the Gospel Hymns and Songs (GHS) collection, used in Deeper Life Bible Church and related assemblies across West Africa.
Hymn Lyrics – GHS 164: Prayer Is The Soul’s Sincere Desire
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Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed! The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast.
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Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear, The upward glancing of an eye, When none but God is near.
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Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can try; Prayer the sublimest strains that reach The majesty on high.
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Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice Returning from his ways; While angels in their songs rejoice, And cry: Behold he prays!
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Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, The Christian’s native air, His watchword at the gates of death; He enters heaven with prayer.
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O Thou by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, the Way! The path of prayer Thyself has trod: Lord! teach us how to pray.
