I was half way on my five hour drive from my parent's house to mine when I stopped at K-Mart. I sought to purchase an audio book to help pass the time while driving. Instead, I found a "K-Mart Special." I purchased a cassette tape called, "Country Inspiration 2," which contained eight inspirational songs and was economically priced. My purchase totaled $4.22 including tax.

The song that really stood out and touched my heart was sung by Merle Haggard and is the old hymn, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus." I had heard and sung the song many times; however, on this trip the Lord seemed to be speaking to me through the words of the song. The hymn writer Mr. Joseph Scriven penned the words around 1857. He was born in 1819 in Dublin, Ireland and died in 1886 in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. Nearly 150 years have passed since Mr. Scriven first penned the song; however, the message is contemporary and maybe more relevant today than ever before.

What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and grief 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 be never discouraged.

Take it to the Lord 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.

Several thoughts came to mind after listening again to the old hymn. First, prayer is a privilege, yet we often fail to recognize it as such. Second, there is so much pain and suffering in the world today and many lack peace. The hymn states that we often forfeit God's peace because we try to carry the burdens ourselves. I, for one, have been guilty.

1 Peter 5:7 states, "Cast all your anxiety [cares] on Him because He cares for you." In Psalm 6:9 we read, "The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer." And may you be encouraged by the words found in Proverbs 15:8, "The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him."

Lord, please help us to trust You, as a friend, and to share with You our hurts, cares, worries, and desires. Help us to realize that You want to help us; if only we will allow You to. Jesus, thank you for being our friend and for being there ready and willing to listen.