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.

  The saints in prayer appear as one
    In word, and deed, and mind,
  While with the Father and the Son
    Sweet fellowship they find.

  Nor prayer is made by man alone—­
    The Holy Spirit pleads—­
  And Jesus, on the eternal throne,
    For shiners 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!

JAMES MONTGOMERY.

* * * * *

THE TIME FOR PRAYER.

    When is the time for prayer? 
  With the first beams that light the morning’s sky,
  Ere for the toils of day thou dost prepare,
    Lift up thy thoughts on high;
  Commend the loved ones to his watchful care: 
    Morn is the time for prayer!

    And in the noontide hour,
  If worn by toil, or by sad cares oppressed,
  Then unto God thy spirit’s sorrow pour,
    And he will give thee rest:—­
  Thy voice shall reach him through the fields of air: 
    Noon is the time for prayer!

    When the bright sun hath set,—­
  Whilst yet eve’s glowing colors deck the skies;—­
  When the loved, at home, again thou ’st met,
    Then let the prayer arise
  For those who in thy joys and sorrow share: 
    Eve is the time for prayer!

  And when the stars come forth,—­
  When to the trusting heart sweet hopes are given,
  And the deep stillness of the hour gives birth
    To pure, bright dreams of heaven,—­
  Kneel to thy God—­ask strength, life’s ills to bear: 
    Night is the time for prayer!

    When is the time for prayer? 
  In every hour, while life is spared to thee—­
  In crowds or solitudes—­in joy or care—­
    Thy thoughts should heavenward flee. 
  At home—­at morn and eve—­with loved ones there,
    Bend thou the knee in prayer!

G. BENNETT.

* * * * *

SEASONS OF PRAYER.

  To prayer, to prayer;—­for the morning breaks,
  And earth in her Maker’s smile awakes. 
  His light is on all below and above,—­
  The light of gladness, and life, and love. 
  Oh, then, on the breath of this early air
  Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.

  To prayer;—­for the glorious sun is gone,
  And the gathering darkness of night comes on;
  Like a curtain from God’s kind hand it flows,
  To shade the couch where his children impose. 
  Then kneel, while the watching stars are bright,
  And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night.