Father, I know that all my life

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.