Sweet Hour Of Prayer / What A Friend We Have In Jesus: E-Z Play Today

Griffith's recorded versions of these beloved hymns offer a masterclass in unhurried, emotionally direct singing. The E-Z Play arrangement respects both pieces' spiritual weight while keeping the piano writing accessible, making this an excellent choice for community or church musicians who want to honor the songs without getting tangled in overly complex harmonies.

These arrangements breathe with quiet confidence and genuine tenderness. The writing honors each hymn's familiar melodies while wrapping them in supportive, never intrusive harmonies that feel like a warm embrace.

Piano students and community musicians seeking accessible yet meaningful hymn arrangements. Church musicians preparing repertoire for services, special events, or adult music groups will find the five-page length manageable while maintaining musical substance.

• Shape the opening phrases with breath, not strict tempo; let the piano establish a gentle, meditative foundation before voices enter
• Sustain the fermatas fully but with purpose; resist the urge to rush through moments of harmonic richness
• Balance melody against accompaniment so lyrics remain the emotional center rather than competing with keyboard texture
• Consider the two hymns as complementary statements about faith; program them either as consecutive pieces or separated within a service for different effects

Feature this in a Sunday service devoted to prayer and companionship, pairing the meditative quality of "Sweet Hour of Prayer" with the intimate fellowship of "What A Friend We Have in Jesus." Solo piano renderings work equally well as a prelude or postlude, or as accompaniment for a vocalist performing these classics with fresh sincerity.

• Sustaining phrasing across longer hymn structures
• Balancing melody prominence with harmonic support
• Responding to and communicating through text underlay
• Playing with appropriate harmonic restraint and clarity in sacred settings