Pastor Dick: Pastor Richard Hurd
The Midweek Message is an On-Line Ministry Of Pastor Dick Hurd and the “Caton Church” A Global Methodist Community of Faith
October 28, 2026
What a friend we have in Jesus. It seems like everywhere I turn this week I hear this hymn. When that happens, I tend to wonder if God is trying to tell me something. I suppose the reality is that God is always trying to tell me something, the real question is whether I am listening or not.
So, I decided I should investigate and review the words of that hymn in the hope that it would offer some profound revelation regarding the word that God might be giving me. What I discovered is that the song is a reminder of the many blessings that our lord provides on a daily basis. Blessings that we often forget or take for granted. So, as God reminds me, perhaps I should use this opportunity to remind you as well. The original title of this Hymn was “Pray without ceasing” by Joseph Scriven and the words were written to be an encouragement for his mother during and extended illness, giving her the assurance of Jesus as a faithful friend in times of suffering. The song tells us yet again that no matter what is going on in our lives, that we can and should take it to God in prayer.
I think we tend to reserve our most earnest prayers for our most urgent needs but God’s word tells us to bring it all to Him. I am reminded of a story where a man was visited by his pastor and during their conversation the man’s small son was overheard in another room praying for his broken tricycle. The pastor felt that the boy was troubling God about trivial things. To which the man replied, Pastor you came here in that broken down old car of yours, are you saying you have never prayed that it would deliver you to your destination safely with no delays. The pastor said I make that prayer all the time. The man replied, then what makes you think that my son’s tricycle is any more or less important to God that that old car of yours.
The story as well as the song makes the point very clear, “Tell it all to God” every detail of every problem and every joy, He wants to hear it all, just as any dear and trusted friend would. Maybe “What a friend we have in Jesus” gives us a new perspective on what it means to pray without ceasing.
Yours in the Love of Christ
Pastor Dick
Breath Prayer: Lord, remind us all to bring it all to you Amen
