I memorized this in college, and it has come back to me many times since.  As I tried to bring this poem back to mind, I of course, re-thought of it with a few words changed.  I will give you my personalized version first, (the one I have hung on to many times) and James Montgomery’s original version second.  Feel free to make the poem your own.

PRAYER IS THE HEART’S SINCERE DESIRE

Prayer is the heart’s sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed; 
The motion of a hidden fire
That burns within the breast.

Prayer is the uttering of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

. . . . . . . now the original version.

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

This is the part I memorized in college.  I didn’t know who wrote the poem or that it included many more verses.  I will add a link where you can read the entire poem. 

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/prayer-is-the-soul-s-sincere-desire/

“O THOU that hearest prayer. . .”  Psalm 65:2

“LORD, teach us to pray.”  Luke 11:1

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. 

good night all,

–rebecca