You Prolong My Tender Sufferings

Someone once suggested to the writer of this hymn that she write a love song to the Lord Jesus. She took up that challenge and wrote this song a couple months later. She had been going through a hardship at the time where she had to give up someone very close to her. Although it was a time of suffering, it made her know the Lord's love more than ever before.

You prolong my tender sufferings;
Can it be, of me you ask for more?
I have not yet offered everything;
Shall I raise my hand to hinder Yours?
Oh Your love has silenced me;
And Your voice has stilled my soul.
I am softened by Your love,
Divine and rich and full.

Patiently You wait outside my door,
Jealous for the portion of my heart
You will never dominate by force;
I must let You in to every part.
Oh Your love is wooing me;
And Your voice has sweetly called.
I respond to Your dear love
And offer You my all.

Any part without the One I love—
Can He not but touch its every cord?
Lest a sweetness I should miss because
I have kept a portion from my Lord.
Oh Your love has yearned for me;
And Your voice has drawn me forth.
I am yielding to Your love,
Resisting You no more.

You prolong my tender sufferings.
Would I ask Your hand to move away?
These eternal shapings of my heart
Mold it well to bear a future weight.
Oh Your love is molding me;
And Your voice is soothing me.
Fairest One, Your tender love
Is softly winning me.