Teach Me To Pray, Lord

“Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray;” is the heartfelt opening line of this soul-stirring hymn penned and composed by Albert Simpson Reitz in 1925 after a powerful Day of Prayer at his church. The hymn is a sincere plea for guidance in prayer, expressing a deep longing to know God’s will and walk in His ways with humility and devotion.

The first verse sets the tone with a personal cry of the heart, asking for instruction in prayer each day. The refrain, “Living in Thee, Lord, and Thou in me; constant abiding, this is my plea; grant me Thy power, boundless and free: power with men and power with Thee,” reflects a longing for continual communion with God, combining a request both for bold witness among others and intimate fellowship with God.

In the second verse, the hymn seeks ‘power in prayer’ to stand firm amid earth’s sin, sorrow, and despair, emphasizing a god-given enablement to intercede for the lost. The third verse acknowledges human weakness, asking God to renew the will and subdue sin, equipping the believer for both prayer and action. The final verse affirms Jesus as the pattern and surety for our prayers, with the worshipper returning again to the earnest plea: “Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray.”

The musical meter of 9.9.9.9 with refrain gives the hymn a flowing, reflective rhythm that pairs well with its devotional subject matter. Its simple yet profound structure has made it a favorite in services focused on prayer, spiritual renewal, and dependence on God’s power in daily life. Over time it has appeared in many gospel hymn collections, offering believers a guide and encouragement in growing deeper in prayer.