Scripture Verse

Lord, teach us to pray. Luke 11:1

Introduction

Words: John S. B. Mon­sell, Hymns and Mis­cel­la­ne­ous Po­ems (Dub­lin: 1837).

Music: Eli­za­beth­town George Kings­ley, 1838 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Kings­ley (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John S. B. Monsell (1811–1875)

Lyrics

When cold our hearts, and far from Thee
Our wandering spirits stray,
And thoughts and lips move heavily;
Lord, teach us how to pray.

Too vile to venture near Thy throne,
Too poor to turn away;
Our only voice—Thy Spi­rit’s groan—
Lord, teach us how to pray.

We know not how to seek Thy face
Unless Thou lead the way;
We have no words, unless Thy grace,
Lord, teach us how to pray.

Here every thought and fond desire
We on Thine altar lay;
And when our souls have caught Thy fire,
Lord, teach us how to pray.