Wednesday Worship - November 18, 2015
The first time I heard and sang this hymn, I was struck by the creed of the lyrics. I felt convicted as I sang the hymn, asking myself, do I really want God to Have His own way with me?...
As I continued singing through the stanzas, the melodic music drawing me into God's presence, I found myself feeling safe in the will of God...
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I discovered an article written in The Gaffney Ledger about Warren Shiver who has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was 12-years old. He shared the following about the hymn Have Thine Own Way Lord...
"Adelaide Pollard was forty-five years old when in 1907 she visited a prayer meeting, where she was inspired to write her most famous hymn. It was a simple phrase from a simple but sincere prayer that impressed her. For in offering her prayer, an elderly woman omitted the usual beseeching of the Lord to shower blessings upon her and the prayer meeting group, but instead she told God that it didn’t matter what he brought into their lives, but “Just have your own way with us”. As Adelaide left the prayer meeting that night the phrase from that prayer, “Have Thine own way”, rang in her mind. On the way home she formed the lyrics in her mind and before going to bed that night, she wrote the words on paper.
Shortly afterwards, George Coles Stebbins set the words to music, and “Have Thine Own Way, Lord,” was ready for the Christian world, and all because of a simple phrase in a simple prayer."
Have Thine Own Way Lord
Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
May the Lord draw you into His presence as you listen to Have Thine Own Way...
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What an interesting backstory! I was thinking of the unsung hero behind the inspiration for the song. You know, sometimes we speak up in church or elsewhere, and we make a comment that God lays upon our heart, and we never realize or know how deeply it has affected someone else. This dear elderly lady more than likely never knew that this would be written into such a powerfully deep hymn. This is really a consecration song, and to sing it from the heart means something, that's for sure. You always bless me so much, dear Karen. God bless you, in return. Sending you much love and big hugs!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, You are so very right!
DeleteAwe, thank you Cheryl for always lifting me up with your kind words. Your are such a blessing to me.
May your Thanksgiving be blessed.
Thanks for linking up at Mondays @ Soul Survival! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasure to do so. :-)
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