Brian Doerksen - What A Friend (Everything) Lyrics
Lyrics
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grief 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?
When we feel down and 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
Everything, every care
Carried to God in prayer
Everything, every care
Carried to God 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
Carried to God in prayer
Everything, every care
Carried to God in prayer
Everything, every care
Carried to God in prayer
Everything, every care
Carried to God in prayer
Video
What A Friend (Everything) | Brian Doerksen | Official Audio
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on March 26, 2021, as part of the "Hymns for Life" album, Brian Doerksen's "What A Friend (Everything)" offers a profound and timely re-imagining of the beloved classic hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." This rendition breathes fresh life into timeless truths, serving as a powerful invitation to a deeper, more constant reliance on divine companionship. The song's core message is an earnest plea and a gentle reminder: no burden is too small, no sorrow too great, no aspect of our lives is outside the scope of God's loving attention when brought to Him in prayer. It skillfully expands upon the original hymn's comforting assurance, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's care and our privilege to entrust *everything* into His hands.
The opening lines immediately anchor us in the foundational truth of Jesus as our ultimate friend, echoing the intimate relationship described in John 15:15, where He calls us friends rather than servants. The song articulates the astonishing reality that this Friend is willing to bear our sins and grief, a concept powerfully underpinned by Isaiah 53:4-5, which speaks of Christ carrying our sorrows and being crushed for our iniquities. It’s not merely an invitation to prayer, but a declaration of the incredible "privilege" we possess to approach a holy God with every concern, much like Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. This initial call sets the stage for a journey of trust, challenging us to truly lay our entire lives before the Creator.
The song then thoughtfully addresses the common human tendency to carry burdens unnecessarily, lamenting the "peace we often forfeit" and the "needless pain we bear." This resonates deeply with Philippians 4:6-7, which admonishes us not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, to present our requests to God, promising that His peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. Doerksen’s rendition acts as a poignant mirror, reflecting our own reluctance to fully surrender, reminding us that the pathway to peace is paved with the act of carrying "everything to God in prayer." It highlights the practical implication of faith: genuine trust leads to genuine rest.
As the narrative progresses, it tackles the inevitability of human struggle, posing questions about "trials and temptations" and moments when we "feel down and discouraged." Here, the song beautifully aligns with the biblical understanding that life will present difficulties (John 16:33), yet God provides the means to navigate them. James 1:2-4 encourages us to consider trials joy, knowing they produce perseverance, while 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that God is faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, always providing a way out. The refrain to "take it to the Lord in prayer" becomes not just a suggestion, but a divine directive, a lifeline offered amidst life's storms, much like Psalm 34:17-18 affirms that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The hymn's enduring question, "Can we find a friend so faithful?" finds its ultimate answer in Jesus. The song asserts that Jesus "knows our every weakness," a comforting truth reiterated in Hebrews 4:15, which states that we do not have a High Priest unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are. This deep understanding from Christ fosters an environment of safety and authenticity, allowing us to bring our unfiltered selves before Him. The repetitive and powerful bridge, "Everything, every care, Carried to God in prayer," serves as an insistent, tender reminder, driving home the central theme with compelling clarity. This echoes 1 Peter 5:7, instructing us to cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us, encapsulating the boundless scope of His invitation.
Finally, the song confronts moments of personal vulnerability and relational betrayal. When we are "weak and heavy laden," the call is to Jesus, reflecting His own invitation in Matthew 11:28 to "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." And in the painful experience of being despised or forsaken by friends, the song points us to an unwavering refuge in God. This speaks to the unwavering fidelity of God, a comforting contrast to human fallibility, as Psalm 27:10 declares, "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." In His arms, we are promised not just shelter but "solace," a profound peace and comfort that comes from His presence, as Psalm 94:19 reminds us that when anxiety was great within us, His consolation brought us joy. "What A Friend (Everything)" is more than just a musical piece; it is a profound theological statement, a pastoral comfort, and a compelling summons to entrust every facet of our existence to the One who cares boundlessly. It stands as a vital anthem for navigating life with enduring faith, perfectly embodying the spirit of its "Hymns for Life" album by offering timeless truth for contemporary living.