What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 742)
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; Music: Charles C. Converse; Public Domain
Devotion
Last Sunday was Christ the King Sunday, and tomorrow, the First Sunday of Advent, we will celebrate the Good News that Jesus, this king of creation, will come again to bring justice to the earth. Popular culture often warns us the second coming of Jesus as King will be a frightening time. It is depicted as Jesus being angry at the world and coming to bring punishment to all the earth. This hymn which is meaningful to so many flies in the face of this belief. Jesus is not to be feared. Rather Jesus is one who walks alongside us during the trials and travails of this world. With all the difficulties the world faces in the days ahead, there is no better time to take our concerns to the Lord in prayer. Yet in doing so, I am reminded of the quote from Saint Augustine: “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”
Prayer
Gracious Christ our King, we thank you for being able to come to you with all our needs and concerns. Strengthen us to work for peace in our lives and in the world. Amen.