Scripture reading
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
–Isaiah 64:7-9
Thought of the Day
Happy New Year! I realize that I am a few days late, but since this is the first thought of 2007, it probably is appropriate. I hope that 2007 so far has been good for you.
Far be it for me to suggest some resolutions for you to add to your list for this year. I won’t do it because each of you might suggest a few things for me to work on in 2007. Trust me; I have plenty on my list already. I have a wife and kids and parents and co-workers. I have a lengthy list.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was a methodical and faithful servant of God. His Covenant Prayer is one that each of us, Methodist or not, needs to know and keep near and dear to us. It needs to be a prayer that is in our heart.
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,
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.
You know, this prayer could even be a great substitute for all those resolutions that we may or may not come up with or may or may not keep each year. If we tried to not only keep this prayer in our hearts, but actually tried to live it, what a difference it would make in our lives. What a difference it would make in the world?
Print this prayer out and put it somewhere you will see it every day for the rest of 2007. Get ready for things to change. Happy New Year!
Prayer
Lord, I am the clay. You are the potter. Make of me what you will. Amen.