The Power of Prayer

In themselves, as weak as worms

Author: John Newton
Published in 19 hymnals

Representative Text

1 In themselves as weak as worms,
How can poor believers stand,
When temptations, foes, and storms,
Press them close on every hand?

2 Weak, indeed, they feel they are,
But they know the Throne of Grace;
And the God who answers prayer,
Helps them when they seek his face.

3 Though the Lord awhile delay,
Succour they at length obtain;
He who taught their hearts to pray,
Will not let them cry in vain.

4 Wrestling prayer can wonders do;
Bring relief in deepest straits!
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.

5 For the wonders he has wrought,
Let us now our praises give;
And, by sweet experience taught,
Call upon him while we live.


Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #397

Author: John Newton

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 >

Text Information

First Line: In themselves, as weak as worms
Title: The Power of Prayer
Author: John Newton
Meter: 7.7.7.7
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 19 of 19)
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Hymns for Social Worship #307

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Hymns of the Church Militant #149

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Hymns of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, as authorized by the General Convention #278

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A Choice Selection of Evangelical Hymns, from various authors #263

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A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #461

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A New Selection of Hymns #CXII

A Selection of Hymns #d142

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Church Pastorals, hymns and tunes for public and social worship #455

Family Hymns #d122

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Select Hymns, The Third Part of Christian Psalmody. 3rd ed. #aa135

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Select Hymns #135

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The Baptist Hymn Book #887

The Family Choir #d21

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #D135

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Freedom's Lyre #147

Text

A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #397

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