Take My Life And Let It Be

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

Frances Havergal
Henry Malan

A Life Fully Yielded

Frances Havergal’s consecration hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be” beautifully expresses the heart cry of a life fully yielded to Jesus. Born out of her own spiritual awakening and deepened commitment to Christ, each verse invites the Lord to take complete control of every aspect of our lives.

Havergal begins with the all-encompassing plea “Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee.” She recognized that true consecration means surrendering our entire lives, not holding anything back from God. This requires actively dedicating our time to Him, so that every moment of every day would “flow in ceaseless praise.”

Next, she surrenders her hands, feet, voice and lips to God’s service. Havergal understood that consecration involves submitting our talents and abilities for the Lord to use as He sees fit. Whether working, walking, singing or speaking, all should be done at the impulse of His love and filled with His messages.

The hymn then moves to surrendering earthly resources and mental faculties. Havergal realized that full devotion to Christ means viewing our possessions and intellect as His, to be freely given for His purposes rather than selfishly hoarded for our own.

Finally, she presents the deepest parts of her inner being to God’s control – her will, heart and love. No longer driven by selfish desires, a consecrated will and heart become the Lord’s “royal throne.” Havergal poured out her love at Jesus’ feet as her greatest treasure, longing to be “ever, only, all” for Him.

May Havergal’s example and hymn inspire us afresh to offer all that we are to Christ, holding nothing back. For a life wholly yielded to Him is the only one truly worth living.

Call to Worship

Brief but meaningful reflections to help your congregation engage with the story, emotions, and spiritual truths behind beloved hymns before lifting their voices in worship together. Feel free to read as is or put into your own words!

Before we lift our voices in worship through this timeless hymn by Frances Havergal, let’s quiet our hearts and consider what a life fully consecrated to Christ looks like. Born out of her own spiritual awakening, “Take My Life and Let It Be” beautifully expresses the desire to surrender every part of ourselves to Jesus.

As the melody rings out, may the words become our heartfelt prayer. Let’s give the Lord control over our time, asking Him to help us live each day for His glory. May we yield our talents, resources, and abilities for His service, holding nothing back.

When we come to the final verses, we’re invited to offer Jesus our most precious treasures – our very wills and hearts. What a joy it is to make Him our “royal throne”!

Church, let’s pour out our love at His feet as we sing, longing to be wholly devoted to our Savior. For true life is found in being ever, only, all for Him. Let’s worship!