Anne Steele
1717-1778 18th century
Asking, being refused, and going on praying without bitterness.
Who was Anne Steele?
The daughter of a Hampshire timber merchant and Baptist preacher, an invalid for much of her life, she never married and hardly ever left her village. Under the name Theodosia she published collections of poems and hymns that became the first widely sung English hymns written by a woman. Her texts speak of illness, bereavement and the request that is not granted, without ever forcing consolation.
In their own words
Father, whate'er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies, accepted at Thy throne of grace let this petition rise.
Give me a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free.
Dear refuge of my weary soul, on Thee, when sorrows rise, on Thee, when waves of trouble roll, my fainting hope relies.