Give Me a Passion for Souls

Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost;
O that Thy love were by all adored,
And welcomed at any cost.

Refrain

Jesus, I long, I long to be winning
Men who are lost, and constantly sinning;
O may this hour be one of beginning
The story of pardon to tell.

Though there are dangers untold and stern
Confronting me in the way,
Willingly still would I go, nor turn,
But trust Thee for grace each day.

Refrain

How shall this passion for souls be mine?
Lord, make Thou the answer clear;
Help me to throw out the old life line
To those who are struggling near.

Refrain

Author: Herbert G. Tovey

Year: 1912

This hymn text is most commonly attributed to Herbert G. Tovey (with music by him or sometimes paired with other composers). Some sources list it as anonymous or traditional in certain hymnals, but Tovey is the primary attribution in specialized collections of early 20th-century gospel songs.