Take it to the Lord in prayer
“Prayer surely does influence God. It does not influence His purpose. It does influence His action.”1 S. D. Gordon
During these trying times with COVID-19 causing concern across the world, singing and listening to others sing lifts our spirits. Recently, I have been singing and reflecting on the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” And once again, I was reminded that it is as much a song about prayer as it is about our Lord Jesus.
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!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Yes, it is a privilege to bring everything before Him in prayer. Not just the “big things” but even those things we might think God would call “inconsequential.” Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast “all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (NASB).
And it is true that we forfeit peace and bear needless pain because we don’t take everything to God in prayer. Jesus tells us, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). Is your heart at peace? If not, why not pray?
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.
Though there seems to be trouble everywhere, we need not be discouraged because we can pray. Isn’t that wonderful? Jesus knows all about us—our sorrows, our weaknesses, everything. In it all, He is our faithful friend.
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 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.
The words of this hymn are even more amazing when you realize what life was like for the writer, Joseph Scriven.3 Born in Ireland, his childhood sweetheart drowned the day before they were to be married. He left for Canada soon after. Then it happened again! His new fiancé contracted pneumonia and died a few weeks before they were to be married. He wrote this hymn in a letter to his suffering mother in Ireland.
Though weak and heavy-laden under a burden of care, Scriven found Jesus to be his refuge. And so he prayed, finding the solace he needed—in His arms. He knew Jesus had said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28), so Scriven rested in God—in prayer.
4. 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.2
Though Scriven’s life on earth was filled with trouble, he was looking forward to that day when there would be no need for prayer. In heaven, all would be “rapture, praise, and endless worship.”
May this song be true of us. May we take everything to the Lord in prayer. Only He is worthy!
1. S.D. Gordon, “Does Prayer Influence God?” https://www.free-bible-study-lessons.com/does-prayer-influence-God.html (accessed May 18, 2020).
2. “What a Friend We Have In Jesus,” Timeless Truths, https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/What_a_Friend_We_Have_in_Jesus/ (accessed May 15, 2020).
3. “KidTunz,” accessed May 15, 2020, https://kidtunz.com/history-behind-the-hymn-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus