Day Seven

“The days are surely coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant … I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my  people.”  Jeremiah 31.31, 33

Methodists all over the world will be repeating the Covenant Prayer this weekend.  Along with many other Christians who have found this a precious way of starting the year, we will be using it in both our services.

This prayer is packed with many strong commitments, and some may seem too hard.  The introduction to the service reads: “Yet the power to do all these things is given to us in Christ, who strengthens us.”

For today, it may be enough to read this through and pause at just one sentence that feels like a challenge and pray for God’s strength.

The Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me,
in all that I do and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me and when there is none;
when I am troubled and when I am at peace.
Your will be done
when I am valued and when I am disregarded;
when I find fulfilment and when it is lacking;
when I have all things, and when I have nothing.
I willingly offer all I have and am to serve you,
as and where you choose.

Glorious and blessèd God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.

Please pray that as God’s people come together tomorrow at PMCH and repeat this prayer, God will take the cry of our hearts and bless us with a refreshed spirit and a renewed strength as we serve him in worship, ministry and mission. May God be glorified and the name of Jesus resound across the city. Amen