Lyrics
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 weary and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, 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.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” centers on prayer as the faithful response to sin, grief, temptation, weakness, and care. Each stanza names a burden and then returns to the same invitation: take it to the Lord in prayer. That repetition gives the hymn both its structure and its pastoral clarity. Peace is not presented as freedom from every trial, but as the result of entrusting those trials to Christ rather than carrying them alone.\n\nThe hymn also portrays Jesus as a compassionate friend who understands human weakness and shares human sorrow. Its language of refuge, shelter, and faithful friendship is closely aligned with biblical descriptions of Christ’s mercy and God’s care for the burdened. Even when earthly friends fail, the lyric points toward welcome in Christ’s arms. The song therefore joins confession, petition, and assurance in a simple pattern: every anxiety may be brought before God, and the weary may approach with confidence rather than discouragement.
Related Scripture
- Philippians 4:6-7 Paul directs believers to bring every concern to God in prayer.
- Hebrews 4:15-16 Jesus understands human weakness and grants confident access to mercy.
- 1 Peter 5:7 Believers are told to cast every anxiety on God because he cares.