In his classic book, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1990), Kenneth W. Osbeck tells the story of Frances R. Havergal and “one of the finest New Year’s prayers of consecration ever written”.
Ms. Havergal was a very gifted vocalist and musician who also spoke seven different languages fluently. She also managed to memorize the entire New Testament, as well as significant portions of the Old Testament.
More importantly, she learned to dedicate herself and her talents totally to God. Perhaps this was the key to understanding her productivity and proficiency in life.
Osbeck relates the following story. Under the heading, “A Happy New Year. Ever Such May It Be!”, she included the following words to a poem she penned in her 1874 New Year’s greeting card to her friends.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face.
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.*
Osbeck points out that Ms. Havergal had already become known throughout England as “the consecration poet” before this poem was ever released. He then adds this insightful observation: “It was said of her that she always lived her words before she wrote them. Her life was one of constant and complete commitment to God.”
Little wonder, then, that her newest poem would be received so thoughtfully by her friends, and would eventually be made into a great hymn of the church.
Of course, all of this leads us to a significant question on this first day of 2014: “Just how consecrated are we to God?” Have we (you and I) dedicated this new year to God? If not, should we? Above all, will we?
*Portions of Osbeck’s book can be found online at: http://book
s.google.com/books?id=mPqN_R-waqUC&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&d
q=Frances+R.+Havergal+another+year+is+dawning&source=bl&o
ts=wXbkMxhEwD&sig=ZZXJk-jUC3hUjFvhSzmXFVkkMWg&hl=en&
sa=X&ei=jSnEUuHrJ8nOyQH8yIHYCw&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBA#v=one
page&q=Frances%20R.%20Havergal%20another%20year%20is%20
dawning&f=false.
Ms. Havergal was a very gifted vocalist and musician who also spoke seven different languages fluently. She also managed to memorize the entire New Testament, as well as significant portions of the Old Testament.
More importantly, she learned to dedicate herself and her talents totally to God. Perhaps this was the key to understanding her productivity and proficiency in life.
Osbeck relates the following story. Under the heading, “A Happy New Year. Ever Such May It Be!”, she included the following words to a poem she penned in her 1874 New Year’s greeting card to her friends.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face.
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.*
Osbeck points out that Ms. Havergal had already become known throughout England as “the consecration poet” before this poem was ever released. He then adds this insightful observation: “It was said of her that she always lived her words before she wrote them. Her life was one of constant and complete commitment to God.”
Little wonder, then, that her newest poem would be received so thoughtfully by her friends, and would eventually be made into a great hymn of the church.
Of course, all of this leads us to a significant question on this first day of 2014: “Just how consecrated are we to God?” Have we (you and I) dedicated this new year to God? If not, should we? Above all, will we?
*Portions of Osbeck’s book can be found online at: http://book
s.google.com/books?id=mPqN_R-waqUC&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&d
q=Frances+R.+Havergal+another+year+is+dawning&source=bl&o
ts=wXbkMxhEwD&sig=ZZXJk-jUC3hUjFvhSzmXFVkkMWg&hl=en&
sa=X&ei=jSnEUuHrJ8nOyQH8yIHYCw&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBA#v=one
page&q=Frances%20R.%20Havergal%20another%20year%20is%20
dawning&f=false.