Prayer is the soul's sincere desire

303 Campmeeting. C. M.

1 Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
   uttered or unexpressed;
   the motion of a hidden fire
   that trembles in the breast.

2 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.

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 prayer.

6 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
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
I know I've mentioned Mongomery's bio before, but you really should take a look at it. He was quite the rebel for God.

Hymnary.org omits verse 2 and adds a couple of verses at the end and also rearranges the order of the verses a bit.

5 The saints in prayer appear as one,
   in word and deed and mind;
   while with the Father and the Son
   sweet fellowship they find.

6 Nor prayer is made on earth alone:
   the Holy Spirit pleads,
   and Jesus on the eternal throne
   for sinners intercedes.

</idle musing>