I’d Rather Have Jesus
Backgrounder: This poem written
in 1922 by Rhea Miller, was left
on a piano in the Shea home by
Bev Shea who wanted her son to
find it and change the course of
his life. The words, I’d rather have
Jesus moved George so much
and spoke to him about his aims
in life. He sat down at the piano
& began singing them with a tune
that seemed to fit the words.
George’s life direction did change
He was offered a popular music
career with NBC, but a few years
later chose to become associated
with evangelist Billy Graham and
sang this hymn around the world.
Lord Jesus, I rather have You:
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
‘If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save
his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me will find it.
What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul? Or what
can a man give in exchange
for his soul? (Matt 16:24-26).
Dear Father God, forgive us when
we seek after temporal things
to meet the deep yearnings of
our heart. Your eternal plan was
to send Jesus, Your Son, to give
us a life that is no longer empty
or imprisoned by sin’s chains.
Thank You for Jesus who came
that we might have abundant life
through His sacrificial death
on our behalf. Nothing on earth
and no person deserves our
allegiance more than our Savior.
Remind us to be always grateful
to Jesus for loving so sacrificially
and for saving us from our sin.
Lord, You have great things in
store for each of us if we would
just fix our eyes upon You. And
we are created in Christ Jesus
for good works which God has
prepared for each of us to live
a life of purpose and of destiny.
Grant us grace to find out & do
the heavenly things that You God
wants us to do while still on earth.
Help us Lord to have the attitude
of Apostle Paul who considers
everything rubbish, that he may
know and gain Christ. Grant us
resolve in each of us to truly say:
I’d rather have Jesus… for I’d
rather be true to His holy name.
Lord, we know this hymn is about
dedication and commitment for
to follow after Jesus is costly.
Grant each of us will always
be able to sing from our heart,
and truly mean it, the words of
the hymn: I’d Rather Have Jesus.
So help us God. Thank you for
hearing & answering our prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I’d rather have Jesus than
silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have
riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than
houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail
pierced hand.
Refrain:
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than
men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to
His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than
world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to
His holy name.
Backgrounder: This poem written
in 1922 by Rhea Miller, was left
on a piano in the Shea home by
Bev Shea who wanted her son to
find it and change the course of
his life. The words, I’d rather have
Jesus moved George so much
and spoke to him about his aims
in life. He sat down at the piano
& began singing them with a tune
that seemed to fit the words.
George’s life direction did change
He was offered a popular music
career with NBC, but a few years
later chose to become associated
with evangelist Billy Graham and
sang this hymn around the world.
Lord Jesus, I rather have You:
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
‘If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save
his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for me will find it.
What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul? Or what
can a man give in exchange
for his soul? (Matt 16:24-26).
Dear Father God, forgive us when
we seek after temporal things
to meet the deep yearnings of
our heart. Your eternal plan was
to send Jesus, Your Son, to give
us a life that is no longer empty
or imprisoned by sin’s chains.
Thank You for Jesus who came
that we might have abundant life
through His sacrificial death
on our behalf. Nothing on earth
and no person deserves our
allegiance more than our Savior.
Remind us to be always grateful
to Jesus for loving so sacrificially
and for saving us from our sin.
Lord, You have great things in
store for each of us if we would
just fix our eyes upon You. And
we are created in Christ Jesus
for good works which God has
prepared for each of us to live
a life of purpose and of destiny.
Grant us grace to find out & do
the heavenly things that You God
wants us to do while still on earth.
Help us Lord to have the attitude
of Apostle Paul who considers
everything rubbish, that he may
know and gain Christ. Grant us
resolve in each of us to truly say:
I’d rather have Jesus… for I’d
rather be true to His holy name.
Lord, we know this hymn is about
dedication and commitment for
to follow after Jesus is costly.
Grant each of us will always
be able to sing from our heart,
and truly mean it, the words of
the hymn: I’d Rather Have Jesus.
So help us God. Thank you for
hearing & answering our prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I’d rather have Jesus than
silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have
riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than
houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail
pierced hand.
Refrain:
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than
men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to
His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than
world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to
His holy name.