Lyrics
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 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 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.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
What a Friend We Have in Jesus is a hymn that invites bringing every burden to God in prayer. The first verse says it is a privilege to carry sins and griefs to Jesus, noting the needless peace and pain forfeited when everything is not carried to God. The second verse asks about trials and temptations and says not to be discouraged but to take it to the Lord, since Jesus knows every weakness and is a faithful friend.
The third verse speaks to the weak and heavy laden, calls Jesus the refuge and says to take it to the Lord even when friends despise and forsake, since in His arms there is solace. The hymn rests on Matthew 11:28, Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:7 and Hebrews 4:15-16, with John 15:13-15 on Jesus as friend. Its steady, direct wording makes it well suited to congregational singing.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 11:28 Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him.
- Philippians 4:6 Believers are told to bring everything to God in prayer.
- Hebrews 4:15-16 Jesus sympathizes with weakness and believers may approach His throne with confidence.