Lyrics - What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Verse 1

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

ev'rything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit;

oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

ev'rything to God in prayer

Verse 2

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere? 

We should never be discouraged

take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness

take it to the Lord in prayer

Verse 3

Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge

take it to the Lord in prayer

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer

In His arms he'll take and shield thee;

thou wilt find a solace there

Bible Memory Verses

‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Story Behind the Song

Joseph Scriven was born in 1819 in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. As a young adult, he became an immigrant in Canada. He wrote a poem in 1855 called “Pray Without Ceasing” for his mother, who was ill. He could not get home to her, and so penned these words to comfort her. They became this wonderful hymn on prayer.

Charles Crozat Converse set it to music in 1868.

There is a monument to Scriven in Port Hope, Canada, where he ministered to impoverished people for decades. His life was marked by great suffering: the loss of loved ones, illness, and physical need. This hymn is a cry of deep need and a shout of great hope. Closeness to the Lord in prayer was at the heart of his life story.

Something to Think About

When I was eight years old, I started a new school. I had begun to make some friends, and all seemed good. But one day, a new friend falsely thought I was taking one of her friends away from her. She scolded me and walked away with the few other friends I had. I can remember standing in the middle of the playground, very alone and just not knowing what to do.

Maybe you have a story like that. It can happen at any age!

We know the lyric in verse three of this hymn:

“Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

The Lord has designed us to be in closest friendship with Him. Sometimes we don’t really understand this until we are struggling. But this is the friendship that is rock solid and unchanging, and we are called to come to Him in prayer always and with everything.

“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5

All of life, little or great, is seen and cared over by the Lord as we pray through each day. From this closeness, we learn how to be better friends with each other.

I had this stanza of a poem pinned on my wall when I was a student, and it was always a good reminder:

“Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian’s armor bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.”

We hope the singing of this prayer encourages each of us to pray more.

Prayer

Father in heaven,

Thank You for the gift it is to come before You in prayer anytime, anywhere, and about all things.

May we be quick to pray, diligent to set aside time, slow to worry, and each day humble before You, our Lord and greatest friend.

As we pray, may we care more and more about the things You care about.

In whose name we live and pray,

Amen.

Teach your children to praise God with heart and voice! Click here to learn more about Kristyn Getty’s new book, We Sing!

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