Thursday September 10, 2020

Begin this new day by praying this prayer out loud. As you are able, consider kneeling as a physical expression of your commitment to Jesus as Lord of your life and the one you desire to lead you this day. Alternatively, you might consider placing a hand over your heart as you pray this 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 by 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 Wesley Covenant Prayer was written by Rev. John Wesley, the 18th century Anglican priest who was the founder of the Methodist Movement.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything that you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

If you were offered a product or solution promising that it would change everything in your life, you would probably have some level of skepticism. “Hard to believe,” “a promise too ambitious,” “something too good to be true,” are just a few thoughts that might come to mind.

With that scenario in mind, think for a moment about an additional way we might understand Proverbs 4:23.

What if it is meant to be understood as both a challenge AND a promise? What if the one who knows you better than you know yourself, and more fully than anyone else could, is revealing to you the power of your heart? What if the challenge is less about “doing” and more about “believing” in God’s understanding of the power of a pure, clean and undivided heart? What do these questions stir in you today?

When you are finished with your time of reflection, close out this time with this prayer.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ my Lord. AMEN.