I Love to Tell the Story
Backgrounder: Katherine Hankey
(1834-1911) the daughter of a
prosperous British banker, grew
up in a stylish London suburb.
In her twenties, she started Bible
classes for factory girls. When
she was in her thirties, Kate
became seriously ill and doctors
said she needed a year of rest.
During her recovery, she wrote
two poems. The first became
the hymn: Tell me the Old Old
Story. The second written 10
months later became: I Love to
Tell the Story. She soon returned
to her Bible classes in London and
continued teaching for many years.
Lord, we’ll share the gospel story:
He commanded them not to
depart from Jerusalem, but to
wait for the Promise of the Father.
For John truly baptised with
water, but you shall be baptised
with the Holy Spirit not many
days from now… You will receive
power when the Holy Spirit
comes to you. And you will be my
witnesses, telling people about
me everywhere – in Jerusalem,
in Samaria, and to the ends
of the earth (Acts 1:4-8).
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank
you for your deep love for us,
your great gift of salvation and
the empowerment of Holy Spirit.
In gratitude, we purpose to
be bold to tell the story of our
Lord Jesus for we can’t deny
the fact that He is so real to us…
Lord, I first learned this hymn
as a teenager. Since then ‘I love
to tell the story’ to whoever will
listen. Remember, especially
two periods of time when I can
truly say: ‘Taste and see that the
Lord is Good’ when I personally
witnessed the power of the
Holy Spirit in convicting dozens
to come to know the Lord Jesus.
Really thankful to have been
given the grace to be able to
live this story for nearly 50 yrs.
Now in my early 60s, I confirm
the truth of this hymn: ‘For those
who know it best seem hungering
and thirsting to hear it like the rest.’
Lord, pray that more people in SG
and around the world will do and
sing this hymn. “I love to tell the
story of unseen things above”.
For truly “twill be our theme
in glory to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love!!”
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
I love to tell the story of
unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of
Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story,
because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as
nothing else would do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, ’tis
pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for
some have never heard
The message of salvation from
God’s own holy Word.
I love to tell the story, for
those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to
hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I
sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that
I have loved so long.
Prayers for You
