On the New Year

In 1755 John Wesley began celebrating the Covenant Renewal Service. This was a time of spiritual renewal that was usually held on New Year's Day and later on New Year's Eve as a watch night service. At the heart of the celebration is the Covenant 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 United Methodist Hymnal, 607)

Covenant making is at the core of the Christian tradition. God made a covenant with all of humanity and the coming of God's son was an example of God's faithfulness to that covenant. In return we covenant with God to be ever faithful.

Wesley's prayer is as appropriate today as it was long ago. We still need to renew our covenant, time and time again. We do not do it on our own but in a community that keep us accountable. Keep this prayer near to your heart this new year.

As we celebrate a new year let us take the opportunity to renew our commitment to our faith, living it in new ways this new year. New commitments take time to "set in" and take a community to help us in the journey. May we become that community so that all of us can benefit from the growth and excitement of the faith journey.

I pray for you daily. Blessings on the New Year!

Peace, Juan+