1 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:
O, then, on the breath of this early air,
Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.

2 To prayer! -- for the day that God has blest
Comes tranquilly on with its solemn rest;
It speaks of creation's early bloom, --
It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb:
Then summon the spirit's exalted powers,
And devote to heaven the hallowed hours.

3 Awake, awake, and gird up thy strength,
To join Christ's holy band at length;
To Him who unceasing love displays,
Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise;
To Him thy heart and thy hours be given,
For a life of prayer is the life of heaven.