What a Friend We Have in Jesus (ELW 724)
Devotion
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!
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.
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 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
Compassion for others, praise when things go well beyond our power, strength when our own faith practices are called into question, even the disciples' confusion all lead to the simple call: Pray. In all circumstances good and bad, the invitation to "take it to the Lord in prayer" is the constant refrain.
We often wonder what prayer "does." Is the purpose to get what we want, or to surrender to what will be? Do our words move God's heart, or do we pray in order to open our own? Are we praying so we can escape our troubles, or to find the strength to move through them? Those questions have a way of paralyzing prayer rather than feeding it. So even in the midst of the questions (see all of verse 2), "we should never be discouraged — take it to the Lord in prayer."
Prayer
I don't have it figured out, God, but I know you are my faithful friend through this life. I bring you all my questions and heartache, dreams and hopes; let me find solace in your presence. Amen.