Pastor Wayne's World  

 
                                                                                   A Prayer for the New Year: Wesley’s Covenant Prayer
 
In 1755, John Wesley began leading Covenant Renewal services. These services were times in which people would remember the covenant made at their baptism–a covenant to serve God with all one’s heart and soul. Wesley found that these services were very encouraging and powerful for everyone involved, and soon they began being held in numerous Methodist societies.
 
Over time, many Methodist churches began to hold these services on New Year’s Day or the first Sunday of the year since these were natural times of renewing commitments. These services continue with regularity in Methodism today.
 
One of the most powerful aspects of the service is the “Wesley Covenant Prayer.” While John Wesley admitted that he was not the originator of this prayer, it has served as a powerful tool for spiritual formation in the Methodist church over the last two centuries.
 
Throughout my ministry, I have prayed this prayer regularly in the mornings in order to help orient my heart for the day. I plan to continue to pray it throughout this New Year, and I’d like to invite you to pray this prayer with me as well.
 
The Wesley Covenant Prayer
 
   I am no longer my own, but thine.
   Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
   Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
   Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
        exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
   Let me be full, let me be empty.
   Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
   I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
   And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
        thou art mine, and I am thine.
   So be it.
   And the covenant which I have made on earth,
         let it be ratified in heaven.  Amen.
 
  Happy New Year and may God's blessings overwhelm you this year!
 
  In His service to you,
  Pastor Wayne