What A Friend We Have In Jesus

"Behold, I am with you all the days

and on every occasion, to the very close

and consummation of the age."

Matthew 28:20

The Good Shepherd

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.

Lyrics by Joseph M. Scriven

(1855)

 The Friend of Children

A painting by American artist

Harry Anderson

(1906-1996)

This beautiful rendering of  a loving Jesus

 surrounded by a group of His precious children

 holds some very special memories for me.

During all the years of my childhood,

 a copy of this lovely painting

 hung on the wall in the living room 

 of my maternal grandparents home

 in southern New Jersey.

 My beloved Grandpop and Grandmom have

long since went home to be with the Lord,

and their house now belongs to someone else,

yet, I have often wondered over the years

what became of that painting.

Thanks to research on the Internet

I was able to find it again!