March 26, 2018
What A Friend We Have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear –
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
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 every weakness – take it to the Lord in prayer.
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 your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Text: Joseph Scriven (1820-1886)
What A Friend We Have in Jesus has been a special favorite of mine since childhood. A framed picture of this hymn adorns a bedroom wall in our home. As a child, I found the words and music comforting, inviting, and reassuring. Singing it made me really feel that Jesus was my friend, and that he had a special love for children.
I am now in the autumn of my life, having been blessed with 70 plus years of life. Over the course of my adult years, I have witnessed how difficult the words to this hymn have been for me to follow. I have not always accepted the privilege and invitation to take everything to God in prayer.
Life is not a bed of roses. Like all of us, I have experienced heartache, disappointment, and sorrow along life’s journey. I have also had my share of personal, professional, and financial challenges. There were times I tried to go it alone in confronting those challenges, only to make matters worse for myself and my family. That approach never seemed to work.
Jesus knows every weakness and burden we carry. We can find solace by taking everything to him in prayer. When I trust Jesus and take all my burdens to him in this way, I find the peace I so desperately need. I still struggle with my daily prayer life. Paul challenged the Thessalonians and still challenges us today to “always be joyful; pray continually; and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5:16-18). Mother Theresa dedicated her life to God by serving the poorest of the poor. In a biography of her life, Mother Theresa is described as earnestly striving to be in continual prayer with her friend Jesus.
My wish is that we all strive to be in continual prayer with Jesus, who gave his life for us so that we who believe may have eternal life. Jesus is our friend who will never leave or forsake us. What a comfort to know!
Larry D. Ehrlich
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