I mentioned 3 prayers in my sermon this morning that I would invite the church to pray daily this week as a way of seeking to be formed in Christ and to come to share the love that Jesus has for God, for all people, and for the world. Here they are.
1. A Baptismal Prayer for Faithful Discipleship (UM Hymnal p. 42): “Holy Spirit, work within me this day, that I may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
2. The Great Commandment as a Centering Prayer (based on Mark 12:29-31, referencing Deut. 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18b): “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” And: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
3. A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition (UM Hymnal #607):
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.
Here they are in an online Google document in printable form.
Guy M Williams 