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Father, I know that all my life
Lyrics
1. Father, I know that all my life
is portioned out for me;
the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind,
intent on pleasing thee.
is portioned out for me;
the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind,
intent on pleasing thee.
2. 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 to go.
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 to go.
3. I ask thee for the daily strength,
to none that ask denied,
a mind to blend with outward life,
while keeping at thy side,
content to fill a little space,
if thou be glorified.
to none that ask denied,
a mind to blend with outward life,
while keeping at thy side,
content to fill a little space,
if thou be glorified.
4. In service which thy will appoints
there are no bonds for me;
my secret heart is taught the truth
that makes thy children free;
a life of self-renouncing love
is one of liberty.
there are no bonds for me;
my secret heart is taught the truth
that makes thy children free;
a life of self-renouncing love
is one of liberty.
Bible Reference
Psalm 37:5, Psalm 31:15, Romans 8:28
About This Hymn
“Father, I Know That All My Life” is a gentle and deeply devotional hymn written in 1850 by Anna Letitia Waring, a Welsh poet and hymn writer known for her calm trust in the providence of God. Waring grew up in a Quaker setting and later joined the Church of England. Her writings are marked by a quiet confidence in the Lord’s loving guidance and by a sincere desire to walk in patient submission to His will. This hymn reflects her personal experience of learning to trust God completely in every detail of life.
At the heart of the hymn is the acknowledgment that every circumstance, every joy, and every hardship is under the sovereign care of the Heavenly Father. Psalm 37:5 beautifully expresses this truth: “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.” Waring draws upon this confidence and presents a prayer of surrender, where the believer willingly places the future into God’s hands. The hymn teaches that real peace comes not through understanding life’s path but through trusting the One who guides it.
Waring also expresses the truth found in Psalm 31:15, which states, “My times are in thy hand.” The hymn echoes this assurance by acknowledging that God appoints every season of life, whether calm or difficult, with perfect wisdom and perfect love. It encourages believers to accept God’s will with patience, believing that the Lord’s purpose is always good and always for the strengthening of faith. Romans 8:28 supports this view by promising that all things work together for good to those who love God.
This hymn has remained beloved because of its quiet strength. It does not call the believer to dramatic acts but to daily trust, steady obedience, and peaceful surrender. Waring’s words encourage a life that is shaped by contentment and guided by confidence in God’s providence. Worshippers find in this hymn a gentle reminder that the Christian journey is secure because it is held by the Father who works all things for His glory and for the good of His children.
From the Dictionary of Hymnology
Related terms and concepts automatically matched to this hymn.
A. L. W. History
The initials "A. L. W." used in various hymn collections to sign the deeply devotional work of Welsh poet and hymn writer Anna Letitia Waring.
Read moreAh, when shall I awake History
Hymnological entry for Charles Wesley's 1741 prayer hymn "Ah, when shall I awake," detailing its publication history and inclusion in the Wesleyan Hymn-Book.
Read moreAddison, Lancelot History
Biographical entry for Lancelot Addison (1632–1703), Dean of Lichfield, father of Joseph Addison, and author of Devotional Poems (1699).
Read more
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