What A Friend We Have In Jesus
We are back from the Faithwalkers Conference. There is still much process that needs to be done on the vast amounts of information that was poured from the stage, and hopefully I’ll be able to comment on some of it there. One thing I’ll mention that hit me though, was a side remark during Mark Darling’s main session message: God The Magnificent Refuge and Comforter. He quoted the old hymn “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”. I don’t know if it was the context, timing, or delivery, but it really struck me. The Hymn goes like this:
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 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.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.
Beautiful. I decided it needed some “new shoes” as it were, so I set about to arrange some music for it. I found I was in good company. Many people have sung an arrangement of this song over the years. A quick iTunes search will reveal just a few of them:
- Alan Jackson
- Merle Haggard (of course)
- Aretha Franklin
- Bill Gaither (or course)
- Aaron Neville
- Bing Crosby
- Tiny Tim
- Pat Boone
- Amy Grant (surprise)
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Della Reese
- Andy Griffith
- Elvis (not on that list, but I know he’s done it…)
I checked out the Alan Jackson version and found his album “Precious Memories“. I am not a country music fan, but I think I will be purchasing this album. Great stuff.
YES!!!!!!!
I love this song. No pressure, btw.