This Month's Theme: Consecrated Vessels
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. – 2 Timothy 2:21
A Life Well-Taken
Born into a faithful Christian family, Frances Ridley Havergal enjoyed childhood as the daughter of an English pastor who was also a hymn writer. She showed advanced literary abilities at a young age, reading the Bible by age four and writing poetry from childhood to her death at age forty-two.
Although familiar with the life-saving Gospel of Christ, Fanny acknowledged her lack of faith as a young girl and struggled with it considerably — especially after her mother’s death when Fanny was just 11.
Finally, at the age of 15 after several conversations with others and one in particular with her future stepmother, she fully trusted in Christ as her Savior.
Fanny’s life was no longer the same and although shortened by prolonged ill health, Fanny’s consecration to her Savior was evident in her many hymns, poetry, books and acts of service.
While enjoying a lengthy visit to a household with ten people who needed to either hear of Christ’s saving love or be reminded of it, Fanny asked God for opportunities to speak to each one about Christ. God granted her prayer and Fanny was overjoyed!
Inspired and happy, she took out her pen and paper and wrote the words to the hymn we know today as “Take My Life and Let It Be.”
Hymn Study Outline
Take My Life and Let It Be:
Consecrated (stanza 1)
Motivated (stanza 2)
Inspired (stanza 3)
Surrendered (Stanza 4)
Determined (Stanza 5)
Devoted (Stanza 6)
Read & Relate
Take My Life and Let It Be
by Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836-1879
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2 Timothy 2:21; Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 4:2; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 139:16; Ps. 145:2
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
1 Cor. 6:19-20; Gal. 2:20; Ps. 90:17; Col. 3:23; Rom. 10:14-15; Isa. 52:7
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
Col. 3:16; Eph. 4:29; Ps. 104:33; Heb. 13:15; 2 Cor. 5:20
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
1 Chron. 29:5; 2 Cor. 9:6-12; Luke 21:1-4; Romans 12:2; Mark 12:41-44
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,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Romans 12:2; John 4:34; Matt. 26:39; Ps. 119:10; 1 Peter 3:15
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Eph. 6:24; Matt. 22:37; Luke 7:36-50; 2 Cor. 8:5; Rom. 14:8
Go Deeper
Reflect & Respond
What a thrill to think that God loves to use us for His glory. Christians aren't esteemed too highly by the world but that's the point.
We are consecrated vessels, set apart for God to use. And when we are most surrendered, we are the most useful to God.
Can you think of a time when you've struggled to surrender something of yours to the Lord, only to find that once you did surrender, it was worth it all?
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for setting me apart as your chosen vessel. Use all of me for your glory. Amen.
This Month's Member Resources for Personal Hymn Study
Interested in Hymns Illustrated for Kids? Go here.
The Study Guide
Hymns for Life member, our latest Hymn Study Guide will help you reflect through each stanza of our hymn and connect it more firmly in biblical truth.
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Remember
Keep a framed reminder of our need to be truly and purely consecrated to the Lord – set apart for the Master's use.
Print and post this print on your fridge or bulletin board, clip in a photo holder or place in a 5 x 7 photo frame.
Printable and Shareable Greetings Inside the Membership Portal
Consecrated Vessel Card (Landscape)
Worth It All Card (Portrait)
Take My Life (Postcard)
Hymns for Life Resource Library
Access all the study guides and printables in this central location.
