Scripture Verse

We are the clay, You are the Potter; we are all the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Introduction

Words: Ade­laide A. Poll­ard, 1907.

Music: Ade­laide George C. Steb­bins, North­field Hym­nal with Al­ex­an­der’s Sup­ple­ment 1907 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Poll­ard (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
George Stebbins (1846–1945)

Origin of the Hymn

Pollard be­lieved God want­ed her in Af­ri­ca as a mis­sion­ary, but she was un­able to raise funds to go.

In an un­cer­tain state of mind, she at­tend­ed a pray­er meet­ing, where she heard an el­der­ly wo­man pray, It’s all right, Lord. It doesn’t mat­ter what You bring into our lives, just have Your own way with us.

At home that night, much en­cour­aged, she wrote this hymn.

Lyrics

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.