The Story Behind the Hymns
THE STORY BEHIND "WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS"

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” was born from personal sorrow, faith and a deep confidence in prayer.

The hymn was written by Joseph Medlicott Scriven, an Irish-born poet who emigrated to Canada in the 1840s. Scriven experienced profound personal loss, including the tragic death of his fiancée shortly before their planned marriage.

Years later, when Scriven learned that his mother in Ireland was seriously ill, he was unable to travel to be with her. Instead, he wrote a poem to comfort her and remind her of the friendship and strength found in Jesus. The poem, written around 1855, was titled “Pray Without Ceasing.”

Its opening words captured the heart of his message:

“What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!”

The words were later discovered and published, eventually becoming known as “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

The familiar melody was composed by Charles Crozat Converse in 1868. His tune, now inseparably connected with Scriven’s words, helped transform the poem into one of Christianity’s most beloved hymns.

At its heart, the hymn is a reminder that believers do not have to carry their burdens alone. In moments of sorrow, weakness, anxiety and uncertainty, they can bring everything to Christ in prayer.

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” has since travelled across generations, languages and continents, continuing to remind millions of people of the comfort, companionship and hope found in Christ.

In the year AD 400:

St. Patrick was taken captive by pirates and taken to Ireland where he would be converted to Christ.
St. Augustine published his book Confessions in North Africa.
St. Jerome was finishing his Latin translation the Vulgate in a monastery in Bethlehem.
St. John Chrysostom was preaching a sermon series through the Book of Acts in Constantinople.

In a single year, from Britain to Ireland to Africa to Bethlehem to Turkey, Christ's Kingdom advances!

The principal early monasteries of Ireland, with the names and dates of their founders.

thank Godbfor all the travel mercies. now back with family.praising God for the Blessed Ireland Scotland England trip.thank you all for prayers

thank Godbfor all the travel mercies. now back with family.praising God for the Blessed Ireland Scotland England trip.thank you all for prayers

‘I rise today’, it begins, ‘in the power’s strength, invoking the Trinity, believing in threeness, confessing the oneness, of creation’s Creator …’ I rise today with the power of God to pilot me, God’s strength to sustain me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look ahead for me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to protect me, God’s way to defend me, God’s host to deliver me from snares of devils, from evil temptations, from nature’s failings, from all who wish to harm me, far or near, alone and in a crowd …
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me; Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me; Christ in my lying, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising; Christ in the heart of all who think of me, Christ on the tongue of all who speak to me, Christ in the eye of all who see me, Christ in the ear of all who hear me … May your salvation, Lord, be with us always. - SAINT PATRICK OF IRELAND

Skellig Michael, an island 18 miles off Ireland’s coast, remains one of the most isolated and preserved monastic sites.

Today's #photo: inside the beautiful place of worship: https://wp.me/p2ccTX-38L #NotAI #photography #Ireland
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Ireland is beautiful blessed Country. God bless Ireland

Christianity Retained as Central Focus in Northern Ireland’s New Religious Education Curriculum Amid Calls for Greater Pluralism

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