Father, I know that all my life

“Father, I Know That All My Life” is a gentle and deeply devotional hymn written in 1850 by Anna Letitia Waring, a Welsh poet and hymn writer known for her calm trust in the providence of God. Waring grew up in a Quaker setting and later joined the Church of England. Her writings are marked by a quiet confidence in the Lord’s loving guidance and by a sincere desire to walk in patient submission to His will. This hymn reflects her personal experience of learning to trust God completely in every detail of life.

At the heart of the hymn is the acknowledgment that every circumstance, every joy, and every hardship is under the sovereign care of the Heavenly Father. Psalm 37:5 beautifully expresses this truth: “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.” Waring draws upon this confidence and presents a prayer of surrender, where the believer willingly places the future into God’s hands. The hymn teaches that real peace comes not through understanding life’s path but through trusting the One who guides it.

Waring also expresses the truth found in Psalm 31:15, which states, “My times are in thy hand.” The hymn echoes this assurance by acknowledging that God appoints every season of life, whether calm or difficult, with perfect wisdom and perfect love. It encourages believers to accept God’s will with patience, believing that the Lord’s purpose is always good and always for the strengthening of faith. Romans 8:28 supports this view by promising that all things work together for good to those who love God.

This hymn has remained beloved because of its quiet strength. It does not call the believer to dramatic acts but to daily trust, steady obedience, and peaceful surrender. Waring’s words encourage a life that is shaped by contentment and guided by confidence in God’s providence. Worshippers find in this hymn a gentle reminder that the Christian journey is secure because it is held by the Father who works all things for His glory and for the good of His children.