Give me a heart, dear heavenly Father,
a heart that’s free of all self-will,
a heart obedient to thy counsel,
that gladly thy commands fulfills.

Give me a heart prepared to practice
true self-denial at any time,
a heart that loves its enemies,
assured of glories yet to come.

Give me a heart of sympathy
for every person mired in sin,
that guides them toward the Father’s land,
embraces them, and takes them in.

Give me a heart that hankers not
for worldly pleasures, selfish ends,
a heart that loves the poor, and so
forgets itself, a hand to lend.

Give me a heart that pays no heed
to threats or scorn or ridicule,
that keeps faith always with its God,
though blamed, despised, or called a fool.

A heart like thine, that lives for God –
would such a heart be given to me!
O Jesus, take me and all my gifts:
I’ll find this heart alone in thee.
Halle, 1906