Father, I know that all my life
Father, I know that all my life
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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Detroit, Michigan, United States
If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love. - Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)
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This quote sounds like me.
Takoradi, Western, Ghana
“But I ask Thee for a present mind intent on pleasing Thee. ” Amen.
Osogbo, Osun, Nigeria
Just stumbled at this hymn for the first time. Never met with any that fits well enough to describe the true position of the crucified life. I'm excited at the instance of this great truth yet sober at the instance of its implications to my pilgrimage. Lord! Help help me!!
Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines
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.
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.
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.
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.
Irvington, New Jersey, United States
Right now I know that changes are taking place more rapidly and frequently than usual, but am assured by this song that I just need to resign myself to the will of God. Lord, that I readily do now.
I learnt today to accept 4 things in my walk with God concerning the many vicissitudes of life:
1. I am in them by God's appointment.
2. I am in them in God's keeping.
3. I am in them as God's training ground.
4. I am in them till the fullness of God's perfect timing.
Together with lyrics of this great hymn, I sure can sleep at peace.
Praise the Lord.
United States
Best lyrics ever for me.
Riverside, CA, United States
This hymn is one of many sung in the church that I grew up in Africa. It has been my national anthem as a believer in Jesus and has helped me to stand strong in various difficulties. My sincere thanks to God who inspired the writer.
Daly City, CA, United States
This song—especially the first verse—has been my prayer so often that I've lost track! Songs form so much a part of my devotional life..."I'm in His hands".
Baton Rouge, LA, United States
A Sister sent this song to us this week. I have enjoyed it and came here and so enjoyed all the comments.
"And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see"
"a mind to blend with outward life, while keeping by Thy side"
Thank You dear Lord for this one flow from Your throne transcending time and space.
Salatiga, Central Java, Indonesia
Very touching hymn. Actually, when I think about my future, my education, my jobs, my family: Lord, I'm afraid! But in first stanza of this hymn, it strengthens me.
O thank You Father!
Now, with faith I can proclaim: "And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;" Amen.