Scripture Verse

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Ephesians 6:24

Introduction

portrait
Howard Doane (1832–1915)

Words: Eli­za­beth P. Pren­tiss, 1856. Pren­tiss wrote these words dur­ing a pe­ri­od of ill­ness, but kept them to her­self. When she showed them to her hus­band 13 years lat­er, he en­cour­aged her to pub­lish them. How­ard Doane saw the re­sult­ing pam­phlet, and wrote mu­sic for the words.

Music: W. How­ard Doane, Songs of De­vo­tion 1870 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Nearer to Thee Will­iam R. Braine, 1861 (🔊 pdf nwc). This tune re­quires a mo­di­fied end­ing of More love, O Christ to Thee, More love to Thee!
portrait
Elizabeth P. Prentiss (1818–1878)

Lyrics

More love to Thee, O Christ,
More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the pray­er I make
On bend­ed knee.
This is my ear­nest plea—
More love, O Christ, to Thee;
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Once earth­ly joy I craved,
Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek,
Give what is best.
This all my pray­er shall be—
More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Let sor­row do its work,
Send grief or pain;
Sweet are Thy mes­sen­gers,
Sweet their re­frain,
When they can sing with me—
More love, O Christ, to Thee;
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Then shall my lat­est breath
Whisper Thy praise;
This be the part­ing cry
My heart shall raise;
This still its pray­er shall be—
More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!