Pray Without Ceasing

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.


These lyrics were penned by Joseph Medlicott Scriven, a man well acquainted with grief. To me I find them a comfort, even while I ponder the promises and curiosities of the Psalms.

The LORD will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, You restore him to health.
Ps.41:3

The way of the Lord is far from my understanding, and I suspect it shall always be, but I know with certainty He makes good on His promises. We know that by His friendship Jesus committed to much more than "a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard." Rather He defined His friendship by His sharing in life and service, suffering and death--

"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
John 15:14-15

He also defines the bounds of His friendship as selfless, unto death; to suffer for, to endure with, to be victorious with us--

"Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Thereby His Love we have Life.
By His Wounds we are Healed. By His Death, Victory in Life-Everlasting. Truly, what a friend we have in Jesus.