1 I asked the Lord that I might grow
in faith and love and every grace;
might more of His salvation know,
and seek more earnestly His face.
2 'Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
and He, I trust, has answered prayer,
but it has been in such a way
as almost drove me to despair.
3 I hoped that in some favored hour
at once He's answer my request,
and by His love's constraining pow'r
subdue my sins and give me rest.
4 Instead of this He made me feel
the hidden evils of my heart,
and let the angry pow'rs of hell
assault my soul in every part.
5 Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
intent to aggravate me woe,
crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
humbled my heart, and laid me low.
6 "Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried,
"Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?"
"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith.
7 "These inward trials I employ
from self and pride to set thee free,
and break thy schemes of earthly joy
that thou may'st find Thy all in Me."
Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #427
John Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) was born into a Christian home, but his godly mother died when he was seven, and he joined his father at sea when he was eleven. His licentious and tumultuous sailing life included a flogging for attempted desertion from the Royal Navy and captivity by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape he himself became the captain of a slave ship. Several factors contributed to Newton's conversion: a near-drowning in 1748, the piety of his friend Mary Catlett, (whom he married in 1750), and his reading of Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and, in association with William Wilberforce, eventually became an ardent abolitionist. After becoming a tide… Go to person page >
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