Take My Life, That I May Be (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 685)
1 Take my life, that I may be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of they love;
take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold,
not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect, and use
ev’ry pow’r as thou shalt choose.
5 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.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.
Text: Frances R. Havergal; Music: William H. Havergal; Public Domain
Devotion
Written by Francis Havergal in 1874, this hymn continues to inspire us today. Havergal, known as the consecration poet, epitomized the definition of “consecration”—dedicating one’s entire life to sacred prayers, worship, and service. This month, many congregations of my church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will participate in a “God’s Work. Our Hands” Sunday, emphasizing and celebrating the call to serve our neighbors.
Just as Havergal dedicated every aspect of her life to God, we are invited to embody this spirit of commitment to service in our own communities. The hymn lyrics call us to consecrate our lives every day to God through our hands and feet, voices, material possessions, and hearts. By living out our faith through action and love, we reflect God’s presence in the world, following Havergal’s example. This is not for just one day out of the year, but a way of living. What are ways you consecrate your life to God, reflecting God’s boundless love?
Prayer
Dear God, every day may you take my hands, feet, voice, and heart, and consecrate them to your service. May I become a living reflection of your boundless love every moment of my day. Amen.