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Pastor Earl J. Haggard
As a new year begins, people often resolve to make personal
improvements or give up a bad habit. But how many relate such resolutions to their faith?
One way for United Methodists to do just that is: "A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition."
Though the prayer has value year-round, its common usage is at New Year's Eve watch night services or on Baptism of the Lord Sunday in January, which links it to the start of a new year.
In John Wesley's day, the term "watch night" referred to any vigil or all-night prayer service, not just New Year's Eve, according to the Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards, director of worship resources for the
United Methodist General Board of Discipleship (GBOD).
"This was an occasion for people who wanted to try to live the Christian life—which really meant to
actually live out the vows of the baptismal covenant—to get together, have an evening of intensive
searching of the scriptures and prayer, culminating in a ritual of commitment," said Mr. Burton-Edwards.
This is a copy of that prayer. It is in the United Methodist Hymnal on page #607. It is a good one to
use to help us to re-commit ourselves to God. Here is that prayer.
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.
If those words are hard for you to get your head around try this more contemporary version of the
"Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition".
A Covenant Prayer
I give myself completely to you, God.
Assign me to my place in Your creation.
Let me suffer for You.
Give me the work You would have me do.
Give me many tasks,
Or have me step aside while You call others.
Put me forward or humble me.
Give me riches or let me live in poverty.
I freely give all that I am and all that I have to You.
And now holy God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit--
You are mine and I am Yours, so be it.
May this covenant made on earth
Continue for all eternity. Amen.
Whichever version you use what would it mean for you to make or renew your own covenant with God? What would it mean to this church and to this community if you recommit yourself to living as a disciple of Christ in 2012?
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