If we with earnest effort could succeed

To make our life one long connected prayer,

As lives of some perhaps have been and are:

If never leaving Thee, we had no need

Our wandering spirits back again to lead

Into Thy presence, but continued there,

Like angels standing on the highest stair

Of the sapphire throne,--this were to pray indeed.

But if distractions manifold prevail,

And if in this we must confess we fail,

Grant us to keep at least a prompt desire,

Continual readiness for prayer and praise,

An altar heap'd and waiting to take fire

With the least spark, and leap into a blaze.