A Passion for Souls

“Give Me a Passion for Souls, Dear Lord” by Herbert G. Tovey is a powerful missionary and evangelistic hymn written in 1931 during a time when many churches were emphasizing the Great Commission. Its message is rooted in the biblical call to reach the lost, with the prayer that believers would not grow complacent but be stirred with compassion for those without Christ. The opening plea, “Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,” echoes the heart of Christ Himself, who came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The hymn thus begins as a personal prayer, asking God to ignite in the singer a deep burden for evangelism.

The hymn unfolds into a recognition of the believer’s responsibility to labor in the harvest field. It recalls Jesus’ words in John 4:35, where He calls His disciples to lift up their eyes and see the fields white already to harvest. Tovey’s text challenges Christians to move beyond indifference and to feel the urgency of the gospel message. It connects to Paul’s declaration in Romans 1:16, where he proclaimed he was not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation. Through its heartfelt language, the hymn captures the necessity of both prayer and action in soul-winning.

Over the years, this hymn has been widely used in revival meetings, missionary conferences, and evangelistic services, inspiring believers to dedicate themselves to the work of reaching others for Christ. Its message is not bound to a specific era but remains timeless, for every generation is called to fulfill Christ’s commission. The hymn serves as a reminder that passion for souls is not born from human effort alone, but from the Spirit of God working in the believer’s heart. By singing this hymn, congregations are reminded to seek divine power to love the lost, share the gospel boldly, and labor faithfully until the Lord returns.