♪
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Hymn by Frances Ridley Havergal
(1836-1879)
Frances would later write:
Perhaps you will be interested to know the origin of the consecration hymn, “Take my life.”
I went for a little visit of five days. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted – but not rejoicing Christians.
He gave me the prayer, “Lord, give me all in this house!”
And He just did!
Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another, till they finished with, “Ever, ONLY, ALL for Thee!”
“Take my life and let it be, consecrated LORD to Thee”.
It is a song that we all know, embedded into the worship of congregations worldwide. To the writer of the lyrics, it was one of many she composed along with poems and other literary works. With every stroke of the pen she sought to tell of God’s great love for us, in words readers from young to old could easily understand.
Frances died at Caswell Bay, Swansea, June 3, 1879, at the age of 42. Little could she know how her testimony in song would still reverberate some 142 years later.
This hymn resonates throughout the world.
It knows nothing of continents nor the boundaries between nations. For me, to read and sing the words is a sweet assurance of Your abiding presence.
The tune was playing in my head as I woke, and it followed me into prayer. I hid my heart in this hymn to shed the crust of what I was feeling inside. IE- my unrealized desires and shortcomings; all to You LORD. Take my life – all of it – to shape according to Your perfect will.
The melody would not let go, that is – until I delved deep enough to locate the full lyrics.
Joyful tears welled up as my eyes read the edifying comments and notes of praise posted from all over the world – oh, how it reminds my heart that You are LORD of all! LORD of every person, everywhere; in every nation under the sun:
testimonies:
Newton Ikire
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
“This is a hymn of dedication and personal devotion to God. It is one hymn that never fails to hit target. The one that sings a hymn, prays twice. “Take my voice and let me sing, ever, only for my King” In Jesus’ Name”
RR
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
“Really encouraging to hear the same Echoes of desire to surrender when our strength fails… in all these comments across the globe! Praise God Indeed ❤️ I was overtaken by an intense temptation… one that includes a proposal for marriage, the thoughts ever so tumultuous… this song is a healing balm for me in my weakness… Jesus taught us to be the best looser… the only way to win is to lose it all… Abba take my will, my selfish desires and my sense of self… take these thorns and use it for your glory Lord… thank you for your never ending mercies… and promise to be with us and for us and in us… we are no one and have nowhere to go apart from you.. do not lead us to temptation dear Lord… deliver us… into your Safe Embrace where we truly belong… love you Lord!”
Akampurira Brian David
Kampala, Central, Uganda
“The Lord should take our all being. This hymn is a prayer I like it. May it be fulfilled in my life.”
Akinkunmi Ayodeji Akintayo
Ikire, Osun State, Nigeria
“We rendered this song in church today and was so moved by the word of inspiration therein. To God be the glory. Hallelujah!!!”
Beaty Ruth
Douala, Littoral, Cameroon
“Praise God for this song, it has always been my confession every time my strength fails me”.
Rhoda Joseph
Orleans, Ottawa, Canada
“I am truly blessed. The words are so deep and so true. Lord I surrender all to you. Use me for Your glory. Amen.”
Ola
London, United Kingdom
“I have been going through a trial recently, a real battle. I woke up today and thought I would do a Bible study to counter the enemy’s lies. But I always like to start with worship which I did. As I wanted to wind down to my Bible, songs of consecration and re-dedication came to my heart, including this one. It broke me down and I offered my life to the LORD once again. It’s like the LORD is saying “Just be fully yielded to Me.” So here I am LORD. My life, heart, mind, and soul are Yours. I trust Your Word, and I trust You.”
Gloria
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
“Thank God for the Holy Spirit who so sweetly discerns the heart and souls desire to ever be with our Lord. How blessed we are to have songs like this to sing and the mercy and grace that God affords us through them.”
Yaw Owusu Gyamfi
Kumasi, Ghana
“This song is a clear is a Holy Spirit inspired and meditating on will draw The Holy Spirit closer. I’m blessed by this hymn thank you Jesus.”
Nancy Ray
Fishers, IN, United States
“The Lord brought the lyrics of this hymn to my mind as I was praying this morning. I felt compelled to find all the words. Once I’d found them, I had to sing them. And once I sang these God-inspired words, I had to pray them! The intimacy with my Lord that followed was breathtaking and humbling. Then I saw the comments from this week alone. I believe that God is up to something and He wants us to remember our commitment to Him especially when things seem out of control. God is ALWAYS in control. He is our Rock!! To God be the glory!”
ALL of the above comments are from 2021!
It is a testimony reminding me that our praise lasts on and on, beyond the days spent here on this good earth. Oh that my praise is like an eternal fire for You LORD God.
And LORD, please hug Frances for me. She left us such an enduring witness of what Your touch can do.
Response
How can we help but to sing “Take my life and let it be, consecrated LORD to Thee”!
