WE Pray - Column

In 1755, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, first prayed what would later be known as his Covenant Prayer. This prayer was formally published in 1780. Here is the 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. 

The prayer is simultaneously powerful and beautiful. Consider praying it regularly. A few years ago I wrote a modern version of this prayer. It is a prayer WE will pray in worship this morning: 

I was once mine. From this point forward, I am yours. 

Make clear my purposes in life. 

Place me among my loved ones and expand my heart to love all. 

Help me to think the things you want me to think, 

   say the things you want me to say,  

      and do the things you want me to do, 

      even if it means I am belittled, ignored, or criticized. 

Give me people to encourage, serve, and love. 

Give me times of peace and rest so I can love and be loved by you. 

Let me be a light to a dark world so people can see you working in me. 

Make me humble and remind me that everything I have is because of you. 

Thank you for times of happiness and prosperity 

   they are a gift.
Thank you for your presence and promise in days of sadness and hardship 

   I emerge stronger and wiser. 

Let me discover, embrace, and fulfill your will for my life. 

With joy and in fullness, 

   I give my possessions, my time, and my energy 

   to you and to your purposes. 

Almighty, holy, and blessed God: 

   Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 

   you are my true love and I am yours. 

And so it is. 

Let the covenant I am making here on earth be acceptable and pleasing to you.

Amen. 

In the remaining weeks of our WE imagine campaign – I encourage you to pray either version on a regular basis. And I encourage you to join me in praying the prayer WE have been praying throughout this campaign: Lord, what do you want to do through me? 

The best is yet to come… 

Craig