“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, ELW 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, for sake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
You will find a solace there.
Devotion
This is a favorite hymn for many people. It has been sung on many occasions: funerals, weddings, Sunday worship, as someone is dying, etc. It is full of meaning, drawing us to God. “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer” -- our sins, grief, pain, trials, temptations, trouble of any kind or weakness.
I found it hard to pray as a child and as a young adult until I was facing surgery and came face to face with being powerless. It was this experience that taught me how to pray, simply putting my life into God's hands. And then I experienced peace that I never known before. What a friend we have in Jesus!
Prayer
Lord God, help us to pray and put all things in your hands. All things are in your hands. We just realize it when we are facing trouble. Thank you for using our troubles to bring us to you and bless us. Amen.