A Mother's Prayer

Many years ago in a small, poverty-stricken house in London, there lived a hard-working woman. Her back was bent from years of standing day after day over a washtub, this being her only source of income. As she worked, she constantly prayed for her son who later was to run away to sea while only a teenager. She was aware that the Lord answers prayer and with this faith she never gave up hope that her son would one day give his life to Him. After she died her prayers were answered and her son, by then a slave trader, became the “sailor preacher” of London. John Newton brought thousands of men to Christ. His hymn “Amazing Grace,” which has been sung by Christians all over the world, is today as meaningful as when he sat down and wrote the words—words which were his testimony of the grace and forgiveness of God.

John Newton’s words reached a skeptical man of great learning named Thomas Scott, who had avowed he did not need a Savior. Later Scott’s writings led scores of people to the Lord, including William Cowper. Cowper’s poetry and prose in turn touched so many, one being William Wilberforce, the British statesman who went to work so vigilantly for the abolition of slavery.

The chain of influence goes on as people read and are inspired by the words of these men. Little did John Newton’s mother dream that the prayers for her son would be used by the Lord to go on and on touching so many lives for Him!