For The Love Of Jesus

John Stainer’s "For The Love Of Jesus" is a profound hymn of dedication that many choirs know simply by its opening plea, "All for Jesus." The melody is steady and reverent, carrying words that ask for strength, presence, and unity. It is a piece that calls for careful attention to phrasing and dynamics, especially as this particular arrangement shifts between different sections of the choir. Moving from the gentle devotion of the women's voices to an intimate quartet, and then to a strong, grounded male unison, the hymn builds a quiet but powerful momentum.

In the choir loft, this piece finds its most natural home during Communion or moments of solemn consecration. The text speaks directly to the Eucharistic mystery, singing of the peace received at the altar "In the solemn Sacrament." When the final stanza arrives, bringing the voices back together to sing "Till, at last, her sons are gathered / One in love and one in Thee," it leaves the congregation with a deep sense of shared faith. It is a simple, direct prayer that asks for nothing more than to be entirely given over to Christ.