1
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!
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.
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.
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.
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Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
Yes. Jesus is the real Friend for us. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He's love—everlasting love.
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Inspiring and always in my heart. My rock in all things and all times.
Ketu, Lagos, Nigeria
The highest form of all relationship--friendship--is what our Lord Jesus Christ offers to us. In Him we are truly at peace.
Detroit, MI, United States
Not far from Port Hope, Ontario [east of Toronto on Lake Erie], stands a monument with this inscription: "4 miles north, in Pengally's Cemetery, lies the philanthropist and author of this great masterpiece, written at Port Hope, 1857." Above the inscription are the words of this beloved hymn.
Scriven never intended to publish this hymn. He wrote the words to accompany a letter to his mother, who was ill in far-off Ireland. He had no material resources to send her - only a reminder that the most perfect of friends, Jesus Himself, was nearby. - Great Songs of Faith by Brown & Norton
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See Isaac Acosta's posting on 10/8/2011 for more on the history of this hymn.
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There is a 4th stanza, which is usually omitted:
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded
there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship
will be our sweet portion there.
Lagos, Nigeria
So inspiring, it opens my heart to Calvary.
Lagos, Niger
We get weighed down when we allow our current situations to becloud us and consequently suffer pains Jesus Christ could have helped us out of. Jesus always beckons on us with His arms wide spread to help in whatever we go through. What a Friend!
Accra, Teshie, Ghana
Despite all our sins, this man Jesus who dislikes sin does not live us astray yet still willing to be a friend. WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS INDEED.
Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria
We usually carry unnecessary burden when we actually have a faithful friend always ready and willing to shoulder our problems. His name is JESUS. What a beautiful and comforting song. As God's elect we should always be guided by the wordings of this song that works great wonders in our life. I am a great beneficiary of this song and I pray that as you sing this song, the Lord will bless you and comfort you. Be blessed in Jesus Name. Amen.
Rwanda
You are the only best friend that will never leave our sides!!!!!!!!!!! Je t'aime Jesus, de tout mon ame !!!!!
Lagos State, Benue State, Nigeria
Prayer is the master key. I believe in prayers, it works for me and it will always do by God's grace, amen.