As I have expressed before, I firmly believe in prayer. The other night one of the congregational songs that we sang at church was “What a friend.” As we sang the song I really paid close attention to the words of this old hymn and realized just how true it is. If you haven’t sung it lately, please read the following.

What a Friend

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 Savior, 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.

Even when we think we can’t help someone just remember there is always time to pray.

Christian love and sympathy is extended to the family and friends of John Dobbs, also to Chris and Robbie Chandler and their family in the loss of Chris’ uncle, Tim Austin, and to Mark and Dana Jenkins and their family in the loss of Dana’s dad, James “Jimmy” William Crawford, and to Jarrod and Whitney Alldredge in the loss of Whitney’s grandfather, James “Jim” Bruce Peck.

Happy anniversary wishes go out this week to Chris and Joanna Borden March 25 and to Bud and Betty Lucas on March 26.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Ed Buckner, Stephanie Estes, Mildred Ferrell Varnadore and Angela Wilson, March 23, Amanda Collins and Jerry Cobbs on March 24; Diane Clemons, Connie Hillis, and John Hines, March 25, Caden Childers and Teresa Boyer, March 26.