I have written several “story-behind-the-hymn” posts over the years and somehow missed this one! Surely, What a Friend We Have in Jesus is a song we have all related to at some point in our lives. If we grew up around church or gospel music, we can probably at least sing the chorus.
Joseph Scriven was born in Ireland in 1819. He was educated and received a degree from Trinity College in Dublin and became a teacher. With plans to settle down and soon to marry, life was good for Joseph. Unfortunately, the day before his wedding, his future wife drowned.
The grief was more than he could bear, so Joseph moved to Canada to start over. There, he met and fell in love again, with Eliza Rice, and planned to be married, again. It is unthinkable that you could lose so much in one young lifetime but weeks before they were to be wed, Eliza became sick and died from her illness. Joseph was only 25.
From this heartache, and through faith in his God, a mission was born. Joseph took a vow of poverty and began to help the poor and the handicapped in any way he could. For ten years he made himself available to come alongside those that were in need and he found comfort and purpose in serving.
Then, unbelievably, heartache would strike again! His mother, still in Ireland and Scriven in Canada, became very ill and he did not have the funds to help her or to go and be with her. He penned the words to this poem for her and it has since comforted, encouraged and uplifted generations!
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
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 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
Today, we find America in a crisis like none we have ever seen. Yet, people are coming together around the world to remind each other and to reach out to those who have not heard that Jesus is still near. Prayer still works! He has not forsaken us; He never will.
Let us, as The Church, not let this opportunity be wasted! There is so much hope in our God, so much hope for our eternal future and so much hope right this very minute that we will see Jesus intervene on our behalf and answer unbelievable prayers. We can see thousands upon thousands come to know the Peace Speaker by Name, Jesus, if we talk positive, think positive and pray like we have never prayed before.
Are we cumbered with a load of care? Sure, we are uncertain of what tomorrow will bring but Precious Savior, still our refuge!! We take it to Him in prayer, bind together to encourage and pray for one another and continue our wonderful online opportunities of worship, which have been such a blessing to so many.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, what needless pain we bear when we neglect to turn over our fears and worries to the One who holds our future in His hands. But when we take it to Him in prayer, He will meet us in our despair and we will find solace, or comfort in His presence.
God sent YOU, not the disciples, not the Apostle Paul or even John the Baptist to share this Good News in these difficult days. This tells me that if we have His Spirit, we have all we need to be salt and light right now and bring hope to those around us.
Be encouraged!
You can read previous posts of hymns and their origins here!
Jesus, Lover of my Soul, Everywhere He Leads Me I will Follow On, Stand Up for Jesus, America the Beautiful, Pray for Peace, People Everywhere, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Holy Night,
My mother and her parents loved this hymn and i grew up with it. It was precious to my mother and now i understand the meaning of the words. That a man that could have been so bitter and angry was so thankful to his saviour in all his pain. In this world today may all come to understand the same thankfulness and be forgiving to all enemies in Jesus name.
May i ask you will pray for me to do all that God wishes in my life. Thank you
Amen
There’s so much encouragement in the song ‘what a friend we have in Jesus’ this song gave new meaning in my life today, Thank you for sharing.
Joshua
Ooh what a friend we have in Jesus its a wonderful and encourages words
What an inspirational song. Listening to this song in church today and reading the story lines behind the song gave more encouragement of life.
This song is so motivating. And encouraging, whenever am faced with challenges that seems to overwhelmed me I really appreciate the holy spirit for divine directives
Oh how wonderful and warming touching hymn story and message..
Wao! This day, the 7th of May, 2023, as I was preparing a message for the Sunday service, I was led to find out the story behind the hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus”.
I had never known it until this day. It is not enough to sing hymns but also find out the authorship or story behind it for the proper message to be conveyed.
This one is touching and teaching us to pray about everything…..prayer changes things, prayer averts dangers that may befall one and make one sober.
Everything is not the will of God but if Ernest prayers is said and anything unlikely happens then after , one may take solace in that God knows best.
I sing that hymn every morning at 6 am when I pray. I just love it. Today May 6, 2023 I decided to check its origin. Oh how touching it was. It has become my morning prayer. Jesus is our friendvand will carry all our burdens and comfort us if we carry everything to Him in prayer. Thank you Nannette.
So inspiring and encouraging, indeed Jesus is a caring friend
Yes it truly is a privilege to know our great God and savior Jesus Christ.
He truly is! Thank you so much for stopping by. Blessings!
I am very incouraged right now. The story is sp touching. Indeed he is a faithul God my solace
Jesus is a friend who is always ready to help us when we call on Him. This is a great PRIVILEGE
This is beautiful, Can I please link this article to a Hymns resource I am making for homeschool families?
I am motivated by the words in the song What A Friend We Have in Jesus. God bless you
Sorry for my delayed reply. So happy you stopped by. Blessings!
Yea He truly can. He loves us!
What a wonderful story! God is present in the big and little things of our lives! Blessings!
Hi Nanette, what a sad but encouraging story of this wonderful hymn!
I came today thinking am I in the right Job. And I was praying asking is this your will lord. Then as I was going to another way home, I felt a nudge to go a different way. So as I was going that way home I heard a man playing a saxophone. It was so beautiful! And he was playing what a friend we have in Jesus, what a timely song. Thank you for sharing post.
My soul is lifted, I sang this song, I actually wanted to know what lead to it & I have seen that God is good. He can present anything he likes to you for you to be closer to him. Thank you Jesus.
Thank you for this
I don’t even know how I stumbled on this article but I was blessed reading it.
Thanks
Never has there be a Friend like Jesus. He understands the depth of our sorrows and He alone knows how best to help us. Let’s trust Him with every detail of our cares that steal joy and happiness from the depths of our hearts. Thank you so much for the hymn background
It’s a such a touching story
Indeed what needless pain I bear
It has really affected me.
Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏
Wonderful Encouragement!! Yes HE is the oasis of Living Waters in our lives 🙏🙌☝️💪💕❣️🌞😍
Wow… so this is the story of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” which I had never heard before…This has uplifted me and gives me the confidence that a day is coming when my story will becomes comfort to someone! Am overwhelmed.
Our Pastor preached on the background of this hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” which I had never heard before. This has uplifted me and brought me much comfort and perseverence. Our Heavenly Father is ever faithful and loving!
Marcia
Thank you Nanette. Your words and helpful background information about the author are indeed inspirational to me right now. I also appreciate you saying to be positive. That is my greatest weakness at this moment. Positive in the belief of knowing Jesus our beloved Savior is still in control. Matthew28:17- I do love whenGOD our Father pops a hymn into my head and I have to look up the lyrics to remember where faith is abundant.
Take good care-
Oh my! You are correct! There is a Trinity College, London but I think it was founded in the late 1800’s so he couldn’t have gone there. Thank you so much for the correction. And thank you for stopping by!
Hi ! Trinity College is in Dublin, Ireland. I should know : I studied there !
Thank you, friend. He is faithful! ♥️
Thank you for stopping by! Blessings!
This has touched my heart. Thank you!
Thank you for the much needed encouragement during this time. So thankful that He is ever faithful.