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About Numbered Notation

Numbered Notation (also called Jianpu, 简谱) writes each melody note as a number from 1 to 7 instead of a note on a staff. The number shows the note's position in the song's scale -- not its exact pitch -- so the same tune looks identical no matter what key it's sung in.

Within one octave, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 correspond to the familiar do re mi fa sol la ti. A dot above a number raises it an octave higher; a dot below lowers it an octave lower -- no dot means the middle, as-written octave.

A plain number lasts one beat. A dash (-) right after a number holds that same note for one more beat. A line underneath a number shortens it instead -- one line is half a beat, two lines a quarter of a beat. A 0 is a rest: silence for one beat.

The label at the top of the sheet, like "1=C" or "1=Ab", shows which pitch scale degree 1 ("do") is tuned to. A song in a minor key is labeled "6=X" instead -- scale degree 6 ("la") is the true tonic. Chord names printed above the notes (like "C" or "G7") always use their familiar letter names, never numbers.

For example, under a "1=C" heading, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 sound as C D E F G A B. Under a "1=G" heading, those very same numbers sound as G A B C D E F# instead -- same shape, different key.

What a Friend we have in Jesus

Prayer Telling the Lord

English789
1
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!
2
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.
3
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.

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Sidi Petrowski

Frankfurt, Maintal, Germany

Mar 22, 2021

O what a needless pain we bear, because we do not carry everything to God... this is so me, I bear everything by myself, but after going through the song, I have find a place to cast all my troubles... Truly what a friend we have in Jesus!

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Matthias Imomoh

Warri, Delta, Nigeria

Mar 21, 2021

Great

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Temmy

Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Mar 19, 2021

While doing my devotion tonight this hymn came to my mind. O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pains we bear all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

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Levi

Mar 16, 2021

Heard the song on radio, and how powerful the words are. oh what a Friend we have in Jesus

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Victor Nwokoro

Enugu, Nigeria

Mar 15, 2021

We did our morning devotions and our hymn today was 'what a friend we have in Jesus' it really gave me peace.

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Daniel Z

New Berlin, WI, United States

Mar 9, 2021

Like others who have commented, the words “take it to the Lord in prayer” came to my mind late in the night. Reminded of the One who loves me most and best. Cares for my every need; even (and maybe especially) those that are heaviest on my heart. Father, thru your Son my Lord, I lay the cares of my heart before you. Grant me Peace and guidance from the Holy Spirt this day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

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Chris

London, United Kingdom

Mar 5, 2021

Before getting up, early morning, wife just gone to work, reflecting on all the mistakes in my life and my worries about getting things right, I was asking Jesus, who I am learning to think of as a friend (not just “The Lord Jesus Christ in Glory”), for help, and this song crept into my mind, and I decided this was from God so I looked up the lyrics and read them and was encouraged. I also read all the wonderful comments about how it is still helping so many people day by day. How I wish and pray I had helped my children, and that God will help me help my children, love to seek His help also.

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Lovella

Paterson, NJ, United States

Mar 5, 2021

I woke in the night, this song came into my spirit. I found the words and sang it. Oh what confronts it brought to my soul. Love the song. Jesus is dearest friend.

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Williams Oluwabunmi

Ikeji, Osun, Nigeria

Mar 3, 2021

Thank You Lord for this inspiration song, when took my problem from my working place, marriage issue and delayed of glory to him in prayer, he settled me and am glad today.

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Gordon

Ontario, Canada

Feb 13, 2021

Comfort and peace come from remembering His friendship His strength — I just sang this hymn to my frustrated son, to remind him of peace through prayer, and doing it brought peace again to both our hearts.

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