What A Friend We Have In Jesus, ELW 742
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev'rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Ev'rything 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 with all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry 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 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.
Devotion
Grandpa Nelson made a surprise visit from Youngstown, Ohio, to my first congregation on the east side of St Paul. I immediately found our organist and told her to change our opening hymn to, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
I then watched as I saw the tears running down the leathery cheeks of a life-long steel mill worker.
Some have said that this hymn is not a great piece of music and that the lyrics are a bit syrupy, but for Grandpa it expressed his faith. Grandpa stoked the blast furnaces every day, and there was little chance to talk or make friends. But, Grandpa felt that he had one friend whom he could trust.
My father said when he was young, he would watch his father, who never spoke publicly in church, sing this hymn as if he was alone in the shower.
Later, at his funeral, Grandpa's three pastor grandsons conducted his funeral service. We began the service with his favorite hymn. This time it was I who had tears flowing down my cheeks. We were confidently commending our Grandpa to his best friend whom he believed would never abandon him, even in the next life.
Prayer
Jesus, we could say many things about your lordship and your promise of life, even in death, but today we thank you for reaching out and claiming us as your friend. Amen.