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 | 5 |
| 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; | 10 |
| And a heart at leisure from itself, | |
| To soothe and sympathise. | |
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| I would not have the restless will | |
| That hurries to and fro, | |
| Seeking for some great thing to do | 15 |
| Or secret thing to know; | |
| I would be treated as a child, | |
| And guided where I go. | |
| |
| Wherever in the world I am, | |
| In whatsoe’er estate, | 20 |
| 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, | 25 |
| 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. | 30 |
| |
| 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, | 35 |
| 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; | 40 |
| 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” | 45 |
| That makes Thy children “free”; | |
| And a life of self-renouncing love | |
| Is a life of liberty. | |
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