Story Behind The Hymn, Does Jesus Care
Frank E. Graeff was a minister in the Methodist denomination and served some of its leading churches, in the Philadelphia Conference. Throughout the district, he was known as the sunshine minister.
In spite of his outwardly-cheery disposition and winsome personality, Graeff was often called upon to go through severe testing experiences in his life.
It was while passing through such a test and experiencing severe despondency, doubt and physical agony, that Mr. Graeff wrote this hymn, Does Jesus Care?
Rev. Graeff turned to the Scriptures for solace and strength. First Peter 5:7 became especially meaningful to him during this particular struggle: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
The phrase, He careth for you, spoke deeply to his need. To experience times of questions and even doubts regarding the nearness of God, as Frank Graeff did in the verses of this hymn, is only human and normal. But it is only as a believer comes through such a struggle, with the firm conviction in the chorus of this hymnO yes He cares, I know He caresthat a child of God can be truly victorious.
Does Jesus Care Hymn Lyrics
(1) Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song-
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
CHORUS: O yes, He care- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
(2) Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
(3) Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong?
When for my deep grief I find no relief,
Tho my tears flow all the night long?
(4) Does Jesus care when I’ve said good-bye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks-
Is it aught to Him? does He see?
In today’s world, the contemporary so-called Christian church, sings songs on Sunday morning composed of word salads mainly constructed and especially put forth in an attempt to elicit an emotional form of worship. Seldom if ever do they tell a story or have a message.
After this blasphemy of the Trinity, the younger children are divided and ushered into classes designed primarily to keep them from being a bother to their parents or distractions to others.
They never get to hear the real gospel hymns that tell stories about Christian living, Christ’s dying on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins and especially that God really does care. That God is not callous or uncaring! That He is REAL and that He cares.
God’s knowledge and understanding are infinite and He sees and hears us. Music is a very powerful learning tool and this is why it is so important for them to learn these hymns that will echo thru their minds in the coming days and weeks.
We all, young and old, experiencing trials and suffering in dealing with others. However it is important to learn when we turn to God in times of trouble, He uses those trials to develop our sensitivity so we can react to others as followers of Christ would.
The Hymn “Does Jesus Care” is the perfect example of problems and Christ-centered responses to those problems. The story told is (1st. Peter 5:7) “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”
Difficult times and struggles become especially meaningful to children when they learn the solutions: He Cares about their struggles and it will likely be remembered for the rest of their lives.