Not What I Expected
“…we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us… according to the will of God.” —Romans 8:26-28
Often we pray, and God answers in ways we didn’t expect. John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace, wrote…
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 thought in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request
And by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest.
Instead of that, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart,
And bade the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part.
Nay, 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 this worm to death?”
“This is the way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”
“These inward trials I employ
From self and sin to set thee free
And cross they schemes of earthly joy,
That thou might’st find thy all in Me.”
