We've all sung Amazing Grace in church. Many of you probably count it as the theme song for your spiritual walk. And we can all say without pausing to think that John Newton was the author of that powerful song.
But how many can say his wife's name? How many people know that she was down on her knees, begging God to bring the man she loved into His fold while John was sailing the seas, enslaving those of another color into a life of bondage? How many people really know the story behind Amazing Grace?
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| Photo Credit ~ Microsoft Office |
But she wasn't naive. She knew she couldn't save him. Only God could. A day did not go by that she wasn't before the throne of God, praying for the man she loved.
And because of her faithful prayers and devotion to her Lord and faith, countless generations have thus been impacted.
If you read my Dancing, Dating and Waiting series, you know that the initial thrill of someone showing an interest in you is like a druggies' high. But in the back of your mind during the entire time is the niggling reminder we so often want to shove away and simply enjoy the endorphins of the moment.
Be wise. Be careful. Be prayerful.
It's so hard when you have a dream...and the other side doesn't meet the challenge of your faith. Interpretation: discouraging.
How many times do you think Mary Newton wanted to give up? Marry the guy her parents wanted for her? Stop praying, stop hoping and just get on with life? Probably more times than you and I can count.
I want to be a Mary Newton. She didn't pray for her future, that John would come to Christ and save her from spinsterhood. She prayed for him. That God would grab hold of his attention and devotion. If she was part of his plan, then she would rejoice. If she wasn't, she would still rejoice.
Maybe you have a situation in your life that needs prayer. Maybe you have a person you know that needs a faith that will stand through the storms of life and time. Mary prayed for years for John. But she never gave up.
I don't think she probably knew the impact her faithfulness would have on so many people. We may never know what our prayers are doing for those who need them most. But we should never give up.
My we walk in her footsteps. Sink to our knees. And rise a Mary Newton.
Casey, this post was beautiful, my friend, simply beautiful. I confess, I didn't know who Mary Newton was before your post but, man, she's my hero now! ;-) Persistent prayer fueled by love is a powerful thing. I LOVE your closing line. So blessedly challenging!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about this faithful woman of God. May we all strive to have a heart like that. Sometimes when you've prayed for something for so long and you see no change it can be very discouraging, like you said. We have to remember, if you're a child of God, when you lift up your voice and pour out your heart you have an audience with the whole of heaven. We might not see immediate changes or responses to our prayers, but rest assured Jesus hears and is working. He promises His hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear.
Their is no greater calling than that of an intercessor. One who stands in the gap. Alone we can't reach into someones heart but through Christ our cries can echo in the halls of their heart.
I might have shared this with you before but it bears repeating. A sweet, wise woman at my church once said, "Your prayers go where you can't go." Amen.
Sorry this comment was so long! Sort a got carried away *blushing* This special post just touched and challenged me :-) Thanks again, my friend! Praying you have a beautiful weekend in Jesus!
Blessings,
Amanda
I love your comments, Amanda. Long or short! You always share such wisdom I appreciate greatly!
DeleteI'm learning more what it means to be an intercessor. That God doesn't want our prayers, WE NEED our prayers. To teach us faith, to guide and challenge and strengthen our faith. It gives a new dimension to my prayers.
Wow, I love these hymn stories. There are so many inspiring stories of those who wrote our hymns. I think my favorite is "It Is Well" (story behind it). Too long to mention in the comments, but it is very inspiring. And of course, Fanny Crosby, Susanna Wesley, etc. Great post, Casey :)
ReplyDelete(P.S. Last night I was accused of over-editing ;)
I've heard that story as well, Julia. It is Well just tears at your heart once you learn why the author wrote the song. Mary Newton is such an inspiration to me, especially in this stage of my life.
Delete(LOL! That overthinking thing again. ;)
"She didn't pray for her future, that John would come to Christ and save her from spinsterhood. She prayed for him. That God would grab hold of his attention and devotion. If she was part of his plan, then she would rejoice. If she wasn't, she would still rejoice."
ReplyDeleteI think that is the key when we are praying over the long haul for someone, be it a future spouse or our kids or even our parents or a friend. We start out praying for them because of how their walk with the Lord will impact our lives, but hopefully our prayers will change over time to be more focused on that person instead of ourselves. Thanks for telling her story, Casey. It really encouraged me today!
I agree, Anne. We start out with selfish prayers, something that will make a difference in our lives, when it is their life, their salvation we should be hitting our knees for. And trusting that we might have the joy of seeing them come to Christ, someone else very well might. But our prayers will never go unanswered. And that to me is so encouraging!
DeleteWonderful post, Casey. :) Inspiration we all need in our walk as we encounter those who don't hear the truth. It can be discouraging, and can even cause people to withdraw, ruining relationships. I will remember this next time. Don't argue, but get down on my knees instead.
ReplyDeleteAnd pray, pray, pray. And pray when God lays those people on our hearts. It's a huge step of faith, I think. Harder often, too.
DeleteI love your thoughts Casey:) So easy just to think to pray for 'what we want' instead of asking God what He wants and coming into agreement with Him...love it that Mary 'prayed for him.' Powerful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post:-)
Mary's story is so incredibly powerful! She trusted God and He blessed her with her heart's desire. I wonder how much stronger that made their marriage.
DeleteI didn't know this story of John Newton's wife. Prayer always makes a difference. I can't tell you how many stories I've read of wives and mothers of famous Christians who prayed diligently for their husbands and sons.
ReplyDeleteFor example St. Augustine, whose mother prayed for him and his father diligently for years and years, came to the Lord in his 30's and his father who was a drunkard and cheated on his wife repeatedly, came to the Lord on his deathbed after years of dedication to prayer from his wife.
The Lord hears the prayers of mothers and wives. Thanks for sharing this encouraging post! :)
That He does! And He is always busy working on our hearts, it is up to us to respond to that gentle prompting. What a challenge for OUR faith!
DeleteWhat an amazing post! I had no idea about Mary Newton's story. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteInspiring, isn't she? She's one I look forward to chatting with once I get to Heaven. :)
DeleteOH MY, CASE ... what an incredible post!!! Soooo incredible, in fact, that it inspired my Journal Jot today in which I included the link to your post. I hope many of my readers will check it out because it blessed the socks off of me, girl!!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Julie
Jules, I LOVE that Jot. So, so good and I could have sat and stared at the pic of you and Keith for so much longer. To see you both now, I would have never guessed he sat you down and asked you to pull your faith back. I hope your children follow strongly in your footsteps!
DeleteAnd btw...Rory...ADORABLE! You're in love. ;)
Casey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this wonderful story of faithful and selfless prayer. I love the fact that when we pray for others, we never go away empty-handed.
You've also given us a great reminder of how we need to live every aspect of our lives - not just the big things, you know? That's the "faithful" part - the consistent praying for all things.
Blessings to you - have a wonderful weekend.