mgpcpastor's blog

I recently read Mark Dever stating that Christians on their deathbed would not be recalling songs they learned last week, or words to that effect.
This week a man with a loving wife and four young sons has been gravely ill. The news about his health in the last couple of days has been encouraging and an answer to prayer.
We’ve been gathering evening by evening to pray for his recovery. Tonight our evening fellowship time at church spent an extended time giving thanks to God for His mercy and His grace.
What better song to reflect on this week than ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’.
The first line is a little misleading in that, while the Lord Jesus is the Christian’s best friend, it is really a song about prayer.
There is much friendship, support, encouragement and consolation that the Lord provides to His people, but we do not seek it. Our testimony as a church this week has been one of thanksgiving for healing, but also deep appreciation by the way our mutual fellowship, tears and prayers have served to strengthen us and draw us closer together.
Oh to live more continuously in the knowledge and earnestness of that helpless dependence upon God’s grace. When all we can do is plead our hopelessness and powerlessness and turn to the one who is powerful above all things.

The lyrics:
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!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
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 ev’ry weakness,
take it to the Lord in prayer.
3.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
burdened with a load of care?
Jesus is our mighty Saviour:
He will listen to our prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer,
in His arms He will enfold you
and His love will shield you there.

Hymn from the Rejoice! Hymn Book, Presbyterian Church of Australia

Hard to believe that anyone may not be familiar with it, but here’s the song on youtube. It features the incomparable Miss Loretta Lynn. (Have I ever mentioned that I’d love to pastor a country and western church?)