Lyrics
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;
O, what peace we often forfeit; O, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry ev'rything to God in prayer.
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 sorrow share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer.
O, what a friend we've found; What a friend we've found;
What a friend we've found in You;
O, what a friend we've found; What a friend we've found;
What a friend we've found in You.
To purchase the sheet music, click here
Devotional Thought
John 15:12 makes it clear that Jesus is our friend (in fact, He says so Himself!), and also that the evidence of this friendship lies in His sacrifice on the cross for the sake of our sins. This is why in this hymn we can sing, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear." As our friend, He has taken upon Himself the burden of our sin. Also as our friend, He has reconciled us to the Father, and provided a way for us to connect with Him. And this is why we can also sing, "What a privilege to carry ev'rything to God in prayer."
Consider today the privilege of prayer. Prayer is not something that we have earned, or that we deserve, but rather a gift from God through Jesus Christ. Prayer was earned on the cross. How will this truth impact your prayers today?
Corresponding Bible Verses for Reflection and Study
John 15:12-16
"This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you."
Ephesians 6:18
"Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints."
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"