Learning to Pray with John Newton
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20–21, ESV)
May I encourage you to take a hymn with you tonight as you lay your head to rest? It is easy to fall into a rut in our prayers, such that they become half-baked in our minds or half-hearted in our spirits. A change of pace could do you good!
Here’s a hymn of John Newton: “Come, My Soul, With Every Care.” (Hymns of Faith #120) The original title was “Encouragement to Pray.” As you read, sing it to “Hendon” - you may know the tune to these words: “Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee.”
Come, my soul, with every care,
Jesus loves to answer pray'r.
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Rise and ask without delay,
Rise and ask without delay.
Sometimes, we come to prayer reluctantly - like a chore that must be done but rarely enjoyed. But Jesus loves to answer prayer. Daniel was a man with a nature like ours, yet look! At the beginning of his pleas in Daniel 9, Gabriel was sent in swift flight to give him understanding - for Daniel was greatly loved! If Jesus is delighted to listen, don’t drag your feet to speak - rise and ask without delay!
Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring,
For His grace and pow'r are such,
None can ever ask too much,
None can ever ask too much.
Look closely at the third line in that stanza. That’s the theological scaffolding of your whole Christian life! On the one hand, the King of the cosmos is all-powerful; there is nothing He cannot do. If men had such power, they would be tyrants. Not so with your God! For on the other hand, your Almighty King is gracious and meek (Matthew 21:5). So, like a beloved child, let your prayers run into heaven’s council chamber, and with all the reverence that the moment requires, ask your Heavenly Father for what you need. He is the kind of King who stoops in grace to listen when children speak to Him… “But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14, ESV).
Newton makes you want to pray, doesn’t he? Let him now guide you by the hand, like a big brother coaching his younger brother or sister to say what they had planned to ask of their Father.
With my burden I begin,
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt.
Lord! I come to Thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There Thy blood-bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign,
And without a rival reign.
While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer;
As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey’s end,
Lead me to my journey’s end.
Show me what I have to do;
Ev'ry hour my strength renew;
Let me live a life of faith;
Let me die Thy people's death,
Let me die Thy people’s death.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 ESV).
The life of faith begins with death to self - this is the death Newton ends his hymn with. Lay to rest tonight in prayer, then rise tomorrow, pick up your cross, and - dying His people’s death - follow after Jesus.