What A Friend We Have In Jesus
By Deanna Sivik, Session Elder
The hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus was originally a poem written by preacher Joseph M. Scriven in 1855. While living in Canada, he received word that his mother, back home in Ireland, was very sick. He wrote her a comforting letter and enclosed this poem to her. It wasn’t until many years later that a friend of Scriven’s was visiting and found this particular poem. This friend, Charles C. Converse, was a musician and put music to these words:
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
The other two verses of this song continue to remind us to, “Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
I don’t think this song could be spelled out more clearly. Not that it’s always easy to do, but the words are spoken so powerfully simple. What a peaceful life we could lead if we surrendered everything to Jesus and walked with Him hand in hand. We are not meant to carry life’s burdens on our own, but to consistently depend on God to see us through life’s challenges. God can handle all of it, and we can tell Him everything.
Jesus also wants to be a part of our daily routines and celebrations, too. Aren’t we blessed to have Jesus, not only as our Savior and King, but as our best friend who is always there for us? His unconditional love and friendship offers hope, peace, love, and life through Him.
Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always being there for us. You are a precious and loving friend who will never leave us or forsake us. We can hand our troubles over to You, and put our trust in You to take care of us. May we gratefully put You first in our lives as You have loved us first. Amen.
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