Tuesday September 15, 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.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus says, “Come to me all…” Every person is included in these instructions and so is every need. Those who are weary and burdened find it difficult to rest. On their own, it’s impossible for them to find. Nothing is impossible for Jesus and he alone is the source and giver of rest. In the wonder of making the heavens and the earth, the fish of the sea and birds of the air, and then man and woman in his image, God rested. Our inability to rest is directly connected to our relationship with God.

God, in an act of self-giving love, created the world and interceded for our salvation. In doing so, he made it possible for us to rest in fellowship with him. To the extent that weariness, heaviness, and burdens define our days, we need to rest in Christ. He’s invited us all to seek him and lay down all of our concerns and troubles. He is our rest and our peace.

Take a moment and identify the weariness in your life and the burdens you’ve been carrying. Now, through prayer, confess these to God like he’s the person who knows you the best and loves you the most because he is. Ask him to give your soul rest from these concerns. At the end of the day today, answer this question: Where did God give me daily bread 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.