Father, I know that all my life

C305 NS12
1
Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;
But I ask Thee for a present mind intent on pleasing Thee.
2
I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles, and to wipe the weeping eyes;
And a heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and sympathize.
3
I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child, and guided where I go.
4
Wherever in the world I am, in whatso'er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate;
And a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait.
5
So I ask Thee for the daily strength, to none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space, if Thou be glorified.
6
And if some things I do not ask in my cup of blessing be,
I would have my spirit filled the more with grateful love to Thee,
More careful, not to serve Thee much, but to please Thee perfectly.
7
There are briers besetting every path that call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot, and an earnest need for prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on Thee is happy anywhere.
8
In a service which Thy will appoints there are no bonds for me;
For my inmost heart is taught "the truth" that makes Thy children "free"
And a life of self-renouncing love is a life of liberty.

Very little is known about the author of this hymn, because of her remarkably retiring disposition. She was Anna Laetitia Waring, and was born in Neath, a town of South Wales, in 1820. In 1850 she published her "Hymns and Meditations," and in 1858 she published "Additional Hymns." It is believe that she was a Friend, and that her life was full of suffering and pain. Hymn #305 in the Chinese Hymnal is a translation of this hymn by Watchman Nee.

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Debbie Franks

Pullman, WA, United States

I was led to this song from a comment on the song “If God leads you to walk a way that you know” - what a joy to know God’s heart to be closer drawn to Him:

If God leads you to walk

A way that you know,

It will not benefit you as much as

If He would lead you to take the way

That you do not know.

This forces you to have

Hundreds and thousands of

Conversations with Him,

Resulting in a journey that is an

Everlasting memorial

Between you and Him.


Iniabasi Okulaja

Calabar, Nigeria

Summarizes my life at every stage !


Paul Koranteng

Accra, Ghana

A great companion in my youth and now some 55 years on.


Fadipe Henry

Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

It’s a soul refreshing and assuring hymn that encourages one to wait on God no matter d situation. God help me wait on u always


Joe Bost

Johns Island, SC, United States

This hymn speaks to one of the most difficult challenges in life generally and in this time specifically: to be still and wait on our Lord.


Lydia Damron

Macomb, MI, United States

Such a gift to write these words of promise and peace.


Bridgett Jones

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

I wouldn’t have the restless will that hurries to and fro, seeking for some great thing to do or secret thing to know..... MAY ABBA HAVE MERCY! 🙏🏽


Amy Torres

Livermore, CA, United States

Gorgeous song. I am so glad Allister Begg spoke of it. Suggested it to our pastor.


Refiloe Motsoeneng

Centurion, GP, South Africa

Content to fill a little space, if Though be glorified ♥️ To God, only be all the glory


Joan Hadley

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

The phrase "a heart at leisure from itself" reminded me of a book by philosopher Josef Pieper. He wrote about true leisure, that it can only be experienced in worship.