John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer

John Wesley, along with his brother Charles founded the Methodist Movement in England in the 18th century. Wesley preached open-air sermons and followed up by encouraging his converts to join small groups for prayer, study and moral accountability. Wesley’s “Covenant Prayer” was a key element in his own spiritual discipline and in Methodist discipleship. Wesley’s movement had a significant impact contributing to the abolition of slavery.

There is a reason why his writing, his movement, and his influence is still discussed today. He had a life purely and wholly dedicated to God. Earlier this week I read of the rich young ruler who couldn’t give up his riches or his status. Not so with John Wesley. Here is the proof. Here is his prayer:

I am no longer my own, but yours.


Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;


put me to doing, put me to suffering.


Let me be employed by you or laid aside by you,


enabled for you or brought low by you.


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 your pleasure and disposal.


And now, O glorious and blessed God,
 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,


you are mine, and I am yours. So be it.


And the covenant which I have made on earth,


let it be ratified in heaven. 


Amen.

Can I pray this, and mean it?