Wesley Covenant Prayer

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John Wesley

Background Christianity Protestantism Pietism Anglicanism Arminianism

Doctrinal distinctives Articles of Religion Prevenient Grace Governmental Atonement Imparted righteousness Christian perfection

People Richard Allen Francis Asbury Thomas Coke Albert C. Outler Charles Wesley George Whitefield Bishops · Theologians

Largest groups World Methodist Council United Methodist Church AME Church Church of the Nazarene British Methodist Church Smith's Friends

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What is known generally as the Wesley Covenant Prayer or A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition is a pietist prayer adapted by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, for use in Watch Night dedication services. The prayer is often used, particularly by Methodists, to re-dedicate oneself to God. Most Methodist churches include in their books of liturgy an order for what is called a "Covenant service". Such a service includes a traditional bidding, followed by the prayer itself. The bidding traditionally includes phrasing such as:

...Christ has many services to be done. Some are easy, others are difficult. Some bring honour, others bring reproach. Some are suitable to our natural inclinations and temporal interests, others are contrary to both... Yet the power to do all these things is given to us in Christ, who strengthens us.

[edit] The 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,

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.