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Hymns of the English Church

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

A hymn that develops the exhortation of St Paul, that we should ‘pray without ceasing’.

By Joseph Scriven 1819-1886

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What a Friend We Have in Jesus

By Gabriel von Max (1840-1915), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain. Source

The Raising of Jairus’s Daughter, by Gabriel von Max.

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‘The Raising of Jairus’s Daughter’ by Prague artist Gabriel von Max (1840–1915), painted in 1878. Jairus (the Hebrew name Yair) was in charge of a synagogue in Galilee, and he came to Jesus begging him to help his daughter. As Matthew tells it, the child had already died; but both Luke, who gave her age as twelve, and Mark agree that Jairus said she was still alive, though barely. See Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:41-56. All agree that Jesus was waylaid by a woman with a persistent haemorrhage, and that when he reached Jairus’s house his daughter was dead. Jesus insisted she was merely asleep. He took her by the hand and awakened her, or rather brought her back to life.

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The Raising of Jairus’s Daughter, by Gabriel von Max.

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By Gabriel von Max (1840-1915), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Hymns of the English Church (33) Hymns (43)

Introduction

Joseph Scriven (1819-1886) was an Irishman, born in Dublin, who emigrated to Canada in 1847 and dedicated his life to education, preaching, and charitable work. His life was beset by disappointments and bereavements: twice he was engaged to be married, and twice his fiancée died. This poem was written for his mother when she fell dangerously ill in 1855, and headed ‘Pray without ceasing’.

Pray without Ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17

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 Saviour, 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.

By Joseph Scriven 1819-1886

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Hymns of the English Church (33) Hymns (43)

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