“O What Peace We Often Forfeit”

This past weekend, we were up in WV for a visit as well as a belated birthday present (a WVU football game) for my husband. Before leaving Mom’s to head back south on Sunday afternoon, as expected, she asked the girls to play some music. As Bethany began to play “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, the following phrase stood out in my mind:

“O what peace we often forfeit”

I was reminded of this just a few minutes ago as I heard this same hymn playing on KNVBC.

The definition of forfeit is:

“lose or be deprived of (property or a right or privilege) as a penalty for wrongdoing”

One privilege that we have as Christians is the PEACE of God in our hearts. Yet, how often do we forfeit that privilege by failing to take our cares to God in prayer?

This evening, if you are a child of God, I want to encourage you not to forfeit your right to a sweet, perfect PEACE that passeth all understanding. Whatever your care, take it to God in prayer!

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
  All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
  Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
  O 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.

(Joseph Scriven)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7