Father, when Thy children pray
and ask that Thou wouldst intercede,
Thou callest others in their way
who on Thine errand fill the need.

I’ve stores enough to last a year;
hear both my gratitude and plea:
if someone Thou wouldst feed be near,
Father, here am I; send me.

Should others need a bit of cheer,
a gentle touch, a kindly smile,
a helping hand, a listening ear,
a caring friend who’ll stay a while,

my talents I would not conceal,
my brother’s keeper I would be;
if there’s a soul that Thou wouldst heal,
Father, here am I; send me.

If Thou a lamb who’s lost and cold
wouldst bring back to the ninety-nine,
I’ll leave the safety of the fold;
please, let the task and joy be mine.

I’ll keep my lantern trimmed and bright;
if Thou the blind wouldst cause to see,
give me the chance to share my light;
Father, here am I; send me.

Father help me do today
whatever Thou wouldst have be done.
All I could do would never pay
the debt I owe Thy Firstborn Son,

who knowing well He must provide
the offering in Gethsemane,
when asked to do Thy will, replied,
“Father, here am I; send me.”

Baptism is a call to a lifetime of service. We serve in God’s kingdom because Christ first served us. He atoned for every sin, mistake, and every wrong and error we have committed or will ever commit; and He did it willingly, knowing beforehand the magnitude of the price to be paid. The opportunities we are given to help others are our chance to convey our personal gratitude for Christ’s great sacrifice. For when we do it unto the least of God’s children, we do it unto Him. Opportunities may come at times through assignment and at times through prompting from the Spirit. This poem is a prayer of promise, a disciple’s plea for his or her daily errand from the Lord. Janice Kapp Perry liked the poem enough to turn it into a hymn found in Inspirational Hymns for Choir and Home, Volume IV. There it is called “Father, Here Am I. Send Me.”