Scripture Verse

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

Introduction

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W. 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!