GOSPEL >> Consecration
SDAH 306
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
and it told Thy love to me;
but I long to rise in the arms of faith
and be closer drawn to Thee.
This hymn appears in:
For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: Draw Me Nearer
Written during a quiet visit to the home of composer William H. Doane in 1875, this hymn was born out of a heartfelt conversation between Fanny Crosby and her host about the closeness of God. That same evening, while still on her knees in prayer, Crosby penned the words to this hymn of consecration, originally titled “Holiness Desired.” Inspired by Hebrews 10:22—“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith”—its third stanza even reflects her prayerful posture: “when I kneel in prayer.” Doane soon set the words to music, and the hymn was first published in Brightest and Best. Together, their collaboration created a tender invitation to seek deeper communion with Christ—a call that still resonates with worshipers today.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Frances Jane Crosby (1820- 1915; see Biographies) was visiting in the home of her friend William Howard Doane (1832-1915; see Biographies) in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1875. One day they had a discussion on the nearness of God. That same evening during her personal devotions, while still on her knees, Crosby composed these words. It is significant that in the third stanza she mentions this attitude—“when I kneel in prayer.” The title of the hymn is “Holiness Desired”; it is a song of consecration based on the text “Let us draw near with a true heart un full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10:222).
The tune was furnished by her host, William H. Doane, making it another one of the numerous gospel songs originating from these two dedicated Christians. The song first appeared in the Sunday school songbook Brightest and Best, 1875.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
and it told Thy love to me;
but I long to rise in the arms of faith
and be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to Thy precious, bleeding side.
2
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
by the power of grace divine;
let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
and my will be lost in Thine.
3
O the pure delight of a single hour
that before Thy throne I spend,
when I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
Hymn Info
Biblical Information
(b) 2 Chron 29:31 (c) Ps 4:4 (r) Heb 10:22
Author
Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)
Year Published
1875
Metrical Number
10.7.10.7.Ref.
Composer
William H. Doane (1832-1915)
