Have Thine Own Way Lord Lyrics
Hymn writer: Adelaide Pollard
1 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.
2 Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Search me and try me,
Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord,
wash me just now,
as in thy presence
humbly I bow.
3 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!
4 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!
Have Thine Own Way Lord Hymn Story
The author of “Have Thine Own Way Lord” is Adelaide A Pollard. It was composed in 1902 and first published in 1907.
The circumstances that lead to the composition of this song are that in 1902 Pollard had been trying to raise funds in the hope of going to Africa as a missionary.
Unfortunately for her, she failed to raise the required funds to fulfill his missionary dream.
And as could be expected it was a very discouraging experience for her and her spirits were down.
Fortunately for her, in that year he attended a prayer meeting where she overheard an elderly lady praying, “It really doesn’t matter what you do with us, Lord, just have your own way with our lives.”
This statement touched a chord in her heart, and it reminded her of the story of the potter from Jeremiah 18 where God instructed Jeremiah to go to a potter’s house.
There he saw the potter working at the wheel. Unfortunately, the vessel he was shaping in his hand became flawed and the potter formed it into another vessel as it seemed best for him to do.
And while there the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah telling him that just as the potter treated his clay so was house of Israel in His hands.
Just as the potter, God was in control and would treat the clay i.e. his people, the way he wishes.
With these messages in mind Pollard accepted her situation and surrendered to the will of God.
She then went ahead to write this poem that continues to speak to us in our low moments.
Five years later George C Stebbins added the tune titled, “Adelaide” to the words.
Adelaide Pollard was born in 1862 and passed away in 1934.
Below are more hymns’ lyrics and stories:
Is Your All on the Altar? Lyrics
Create in Me a Clean Heart Lyrics
