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.