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Elizabeth P. Prentiss, 1818-1878, was known as a saintly lady who practiced constantly the presence of Christ. Through her life she was a near invalid and almost always in pain. Her love for Christ was embodied in the following words:
To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul … out in the woods, and on my bed, and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!
While ministering to a church in New York City during the 1850’s, one of Elizabeth’s children died and shortly afterward a second child died. In her deep grief she wrote the words to the well-known hymn “More Love to Thee.” For thirteen years, not thinking highly of the poem, she did not share it with anyone, not even her spouse.
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, come 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!
Questions: Do you feel a yearning to know Christ more deeply and be more intimate with Christ? How are you growing in that intimacy with Christ? How is that changing your priorities? As you grow closer to Christ, do you see any lesser loves declining in importance?
Spiritual Exercise: Take the words of “More Love to Thee” and use them for one week in the morning as a prayer to Christ. Read the words or sing them to the tune given them by William H. Doane.
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