The Surprising Way God Answered John Newton's Prayer to Grow in Grace

March 30, 2016 by Justin Taylor

John Newton—the blasphemous slave trader turned humble and helpful pastor by God's amazing grace—wrote a hymn in 1779 called "I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow." (For the hymnodists among us, it can be sung to any tune in Long Meter [88 88]—e.g., O Waly, Waly.)

The words are reprinted below, but instead of breaking them down in typical poetry style, I've put each stanza into its own paragraph.

Stanza 1 explains what he asked the Lord for. Stanza 2 gives the rationale for such a prayer. Stanzas 3–5 express his perplexity at the Lord seeming not to respond in the way he expected, and stanza 6 shows him asking the Lord why. The resolution is found in stanza 7, as we read the Lord's explanation.

I hope this will be an encouraging reminder to you of the Lord's mysterious providence in causing us to grow in grace, even through the painful trial of affliction.

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.

'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.

I hoped that in some favored hour, at once He’d answer my request; and by His love’s
constraining pow’r, subdue my sins and give me rest.

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.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed intent to aggravate my woe; crossed all the
fair designs I schemed, blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

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. 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.”