Tag Archives: What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Faith Practice, the Exercise

A Hymn for Meditation

  1. hymnalWhat 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.
  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 every 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 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.

Words by Joseph Scriven
Text from http://www.hymnsite.com

  •  When I feel discouraged, no matter what the reason, this hymn is comforting. What sources of anguish are addressed here?
  • What biblical basis is there for believing we should take “everything” to God in prayer?
  • The second verse is particularly gripping. Who doesn’t have moments when he feels like an abject failure, worthless in the eyes of God and everybody. What is the hymn writer’s advice for those moments?
  • The daily news is not only discouraging as to its moral content, but the logic used to justify immorality is without any basis in logic or common sense. What recourse does the hymn writer find for such experiences?
  • The cultural restrictions on the expression of Christian faith in word and deed are increasing. How will Christians sustain faith and testimony against the pressure to be silent and stay out of sight?
Faith Practice, the Exercise

The Christian Life

hymnalThe Christian Life

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
oh, 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 troubles 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 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.

Joseph Scriven

  • The author of this hymn became engaged twice, and both times his fiancée died before they could be married. He wrote this hymn for his sick mother. How would you describe this hymnwriter?
  • In this hymn, Scriven describes what Jesus will do for us when we are in trouble. Find all the different descriptions.
  • What happens, according to the hymnwriter, when we fail to pray about our problems?
  • In the world at large, people are very concerned about their rights. How does Scrivener characterize the opportunity to pray? What do you think?

 

Faith Practice, the Exercise

A Hymn for Meditation

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,

English: Joseph Scriven memorial, Banbridge Jo...
English: Joseph Scriven memorial, Banbridge Joseph Scriven who wrote the hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus” was born at Ballymoney Lodge off the Dromore Road (the house used to have blue plaque). This memorial is at Downshire Place. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
 everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
 oh, 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 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.

                       Joseph Scriven

 Questions for thought and prayer: 

  • The hymn names a variety of problems a Christian can pray about. Which of the problems in the hymn bother your life right now?
  •  Many Christians faced with a problem immediately begin to stew about how to solve it. The hymn-writer implies that a Christian’s first response to a problem ought to be prayer. Do you agree with that viewpoint? If yes, under what circumstances did you learn that truth? If no, why don’t you think you should pray before you begin working on the problem? 
  • Do you have a human friend that you turn to with confidence that your friend won’t insult you or scorn you or belittle your problems? Think of a recent embarrassing problem in your life? Did you pray about it? Did you talk with your earthly friend? If you have solved the problem, how did you solve it? If you have not solved the problem, are you still praying about it?
  • Have you ever felt you were betrayed by a friend or family member? How did you respond? Did you pray about it? Do you still feel hurt? Will you ever be able to forgive this person? Do you want to pray about it now?

© 2012 Katherine Harms