Whom Shall I Send?
By Fred Pratt Green (1970)
Lyrics
and many, when they hear God's voice,
are sure where their vocation lies;
but many shrink from such a choice.
or claim to speak in such a name,
while doubt makes every step unsure,
and self confuses every aim?
knows what we are and still may be,
our past defeats, our future falls,
we dare to answer: Lord, send me!
and daily gives us strength to bend
our thoughts, our skills, our energies,
and life itself to this one end.
Bible Reference
Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:19–20; John 20:21; Romans 10:14–15
Lectionary & readings
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Hymn scripture: Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:19–20; John 20:21; Romans 10:14–15
About This Hymn
“Whom Shall I Send?” is a hymn by Fred Pratt Green that focuses on the call of God and the responsibility of believers to respond in obedience and service. The hymn is inspired directly by Isaiah 6:8, where the Lord asks, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” and the prophet replies, “Here am I; send me.” This moment of surrender and willingness forms the heart of the hymn’s message.
The hymn emphasizes the mission of the church, reflecting the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20, where Jesus commands His followers to go and make disciples of all nations. It calls believers to see themselves as participants in God’s ongoing work in the world.
Another important theme is the sending of believers by Christ. In John 20:21, Jesus says, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” The hymn highlights this continuity, showing that just as Christ was sent into the world, His followers are also sent to carry His message.
The message also connects with Romans 10:14–15, which stresses the necessity of proclaiming the gospel so that others may hear and believe. The hymn encourages active participation in sharing the good news, recognizing the urgency of the task.
“Whom Shall I Send?” serves as both a question and a challenge, inviting worshipers to consider their response to God’s call. Through its message, the hymn urges believers to offer themselves willingly, ready to serve wherever God leads, trusting Him to use them for His purposes.
From the Dictionary of Hymnology
Related terms and concepts automatically matched to this hymn.
Deus tuorum militum Latin Hymn
Anonymous Ambrosian martyr hymn (sixth century?) in longer and shorter forms. Caswall, Neale, and others supply English; the same page also notes Theophanes’s Greek “Hither, and with one accord.”
Read moreBeadon, Hyde Wyndham Biography
Hyde Wyndham Beadon, M.A. (b. 1812), Vicar of Latton and Hon. Canon of Bristol, co-edited The Parish Hymn Book and contributed short S.M. Epiphany hymns, notably “Fierce was the storm of wind.”
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