Take My Life and Let It Be
A consecration hymn surrendering every faculty and possession to Christ.
Download PDFA consecration hymn surrendering every faculty and possession to Christ. Written by Frances R. Havergal (1874), set to the tune "Hendon" by Henri A. César Malan.
Suggested pairing scripture
Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Read Romans 12:1 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "Take My Life and Let It Be." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.
Read in contextWhen to sing this
Sing at the close of a service as a hymn of response, during altar calls, baptisms, and seasons of personal rededication.
Lyrics
Stanza 1
Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Stanza 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.
Stanza 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.
Stanza 4
Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Stanza 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.
Stanza 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.
History & Background
Frances Havergal wrote the hymn in February 1874 during a five-day visit where ten of the household were unconverted. Before leaving, all ten had come to faith. That last night she lay awake renewing her own consecration, and the verses came to her one couplet at a time. She later sent her gold and jewelry to a missionary society in literal obedience to verse 4.
Scripture Behind the Hymn
Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."Read in context
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."Read in context
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Frances Havergal really give away her jewelry?
Yes. To live verse 4 ('Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold'), she packed up her jewelry and sent it to the Church Missionary Society, keeping only a few items of family keepsake value.
Related Hymns
Other hymns that share themes or scripture with Take My Life and Let It Be.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Take My Life and Let It Be
Frances R. Havergal • 1874
I Surrender All
Judson W. Van DeVenter • 1896
Family Devotion Time
Scriptures for family worship, devotion, and teaching children about God's Word.
Bible Verses About Discipleship
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Surrendering to God
10 curated KJV verses
Philippians 1:21 — Meaning & Devotional
Devotion
Where to go next
Enjoyed "Take My Life and Let It Be"? These pages pair well with it for worship planning.
- Browse the full hymnal libraryLyrics, authors and scripture pairings.Continue
- Plan this Sunday's serviceCall-to-worship verses and printable kits.Continue
- Sermon series with matching verse setsOutlines and printable packs.Continue
- Today's Bible verse (KJV)A fresh verse and short reflection each day.Continue