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
This hymn is greatly beloved, calling many generations to heartfelt prayer. The third verse has special meaning for me. Many decades ago, when I was in my mid-teens, I was an introverted nerd in a high school whose student body glorified the jocks in their midst. I was often shunned, even made fun of. It was a very lonely period in my life. My pastor frequently preached to the youth in the congregation, reminding us that having lots of friends was not as important as being a good friend to others, and that no friend was better to have than Jesus. I took his words to heart and found comfort in them. This hymn became very important to me, especially the last lines of the third verse: “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.”
Prayer
Friend Jesus, we thank you for your comforting presence in our lives, and for your invitation to welcome us just as we are. Amen.