This uplifting cover of ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ is food for the soul and spirit. It’s a sweet and thoughtful version of the song. Watch the clip to hear the joyful piece of music. 

Though the song does have a somber lyric or two, Karl Gessler’s version is very upbeat and hopeful. It sounds cheerful and optimistic with its acoustic beat and gentle nature scenes. 

The song is full of good advice and acknowledgment that God hears us when we talk to him. It also gives a nod to the day we won’t need prayer, because we will be with Jesus and will talk to him directly. 

The hymn was written in 1855 by Joseph Medlicott Scriven. He immigrated from England to Canada and never married. He was engaged twice, but both of his fiancées tragically died shortly before their weddings. It’s said that Scriven wrote the hymn for his mother, who was suffering from an illness back in the U.K. Scriven also suffered from poor health throughout his life. Before he became a pastor and teacher, he trained with the military to go to India, but had to quit due to his ailments. 

Some of the lyrics of ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ are:  

‘What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!’

Indeed, it is a blessing that we have God to guide us throughout our lives. God carries our burdens for us. Joseph, in all of his suffering, knew that well. 

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15