Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air;

His watchword at the gates of death
He enters heaven by prayer.

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

The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, and deed, and mind;
When with the Father and his Son,
Their fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made on earth 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."

;

Montgomery.