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.
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, by Joseph M. Scriven, an Irish immigrant to Canada, wrote this text near Port Hope, Ontario, in 1855. Because his life was filled with grief and trials, Scriven often needed the solace of the Lord as described in his famous hymn.
It Starts With a Conversation
You think you have nothing insightful to say… Jesus doesn’t mind. There is nothing too insignificant to talk to Him about.
Just start talking.
Then It Becomes A Relationship
Over time, it will feel like talking to your best friend. There isn’t anything you can’t talk about. And you know your deepest thoughts will only be between you and Jesus, no one else.
Then It Becomes An Adventure
When you ask, and seek, knock on the door and guess who opens it – Jesus. You find answers to your questions. But it does require action on your part. To look for the One who has the answers.
Matthew 7:7, says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” v 8, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” In other words, God is a generous Father eager to give good gifts to His praying children. Jesus wants His followers to continually ask and seek, with confidence that they will receive and find what they need to know. Jesus invites us to seek God’s kingdom, wisdom, and entrance into the kingdom through faith and trust in Him. It isn’t about getting what you want, but trusting in God and seeking His presence in your situation.
Prayer is for everyone, everywhere. It is extensive, complete and universal. It’s not some of the time or for some of the people. If you believe there is a God, then you believe He is there waiting for you to ask Him. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Prayer is certain: not some of the time or for some of the people. To those who “believe”, God s waiting for us to “ask”.
Jesus was a story teller. He gave illustrations of how God the Father provides for us. In Matthew 7: 9-11 He says, “What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Jesus is telling us that as a father would not give bad things to his children, He is showing that God as our Father would not give worthless things to us, His children. He just wants to hear from us.
God’s answers are: No : asking for the wrong things
Slow: our timing isn’t right
Grow: we are not ready to handle the answer yet
Go: there is no question the pray has been answered
If there is something weighing on your heart be persistent. Keep asking, don’t stop. Watch and see what God is changing you into, never quit. As Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 tells us, “Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” You may never know what God is up to, but you know He is up to something.
Remember that you have not because you ask not. Prayers are unanswered because we do not pray. Hebrews 11:6 tell us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” and in Psalm 86:5, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus and want to have that companionship with a friend who you can talk to anytime, ask Him into your heart by saying this little prayer.
Don’t forget, Ask, Seek, Knock, Find…He’s waiting to hear from you.