1857

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything 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 sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

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 thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Background: Joseph Scriven was a bright young man in his early twenties when he was getting ready to be married to a young woman who was just as eager to spend her life with him. However, the day before their wedding, she fell off her horse while crossing a bridge over a river, drowning in front of Joseph. Unable to bear with his grief, he left his home country of Ireland for Canada, where he remained for the rest of his life. 

At the age of twenty-five,  Joseph met the lovely Eliza Roche when he was tutoring young children in the area, and they prepared to be married. Tragically, she became ill shortly before their wedding date and died. He took a vow of poverty and sold all his earthly possessions, laboring among the poor and the handicapped in his town. He served for no wages and often shared what he had, even his clothing, with those less fortunate than himself. 

Ten years later, his mother became very ill in Ireland, and Joseph did not have the funds to help her or be with her. Heartsick, he sent her a poem that started with the words “What a Friend we have in Jesus”. Though he could not be there in person, he hoped that this poem could bring her spiritual comfort. He never intended for anyone else to see it – he said it had just been written by the “Lord and I.” His friend soon took a copy to a music publisher, and it was put to a tune two years later.

Two decades after Joseph’s death, D.L. Moody, the great American Evangelist, said it was the most touching modern hymn he had ever heard. He gave this hymn a national platform so Joseph’s words could spiritually uplift and comfort many, many brothers and sisters even to this day.

Reflection:

I feel so grateful that I have a friend whose name is Jesus. This hymn reminds me how important it is to rely on Him. Although I was baptized at a very young age, there were so many times that I forgot or refused to pray because of some difficult situations. However, He’s always there waiting for me whenever I look back at Him and kneel myself before Him. He comforts and encourages me to move every step. When I bring “everything to God in prayer,” I feel peace and joy because God knows what is the best for me. Most importantly, God carries everything for me so that I don’t need to handle it by myself.