More Love for Jesus

No one would have been surprised if Elizabeth Prentiss had become bitter. Born in Maine on this day in 1818, she struggled with frequent health issues throughout her life.

Inwardly, she also experienced many  challenges. While trying to present herself in a positive way, privately she continued to struggle with what she called a “morbidly-sensitive, melancholy temperament.” Nonetheless, she found strength and meaning in her relationship with Jesus.

The daughter of a pastor, she became a published writer even while a teenager, and wrote many documents to help young people. She continued to publish throughout her life. As a teacher, she developed deep concern for the spiritual well-being of her students and felt great personal joy whenever she led one of them to Christ.

She developed a real love to be in His presence. She once wrote, “Sometimes my heart feels ready to break for the longing it has for a nearer approach to the Lord Jesus than I can obtain without the use of words, and there is not a corner of the house which I can have to myself.”

In 1856, during a time when she battled illness, she wrote a poem called, “More Love to Thee.” This was the song of her heart: “More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!” This was her prayer “on bended knee.” It was her “earnest plea.”

She described how she once craved “earthly joy” but discovered everything she needed in Christ: “Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best.” Her circumstances didn’t seem so important.

Years later, she published the poem, after the encouragement of her husband. When composer Howard Doane read her words, he was inspired to write accompanying music. And through the resulting hymn, her message impacted people worldwide.

May this be the cry of your heart. More love to Jesus.