At the beginning of the new year, congregations in the Wesleyan/Methodist family renew their covenant with God using the traditional Covenant Prayer (below). John Wesley adapted this prayer from the Puritan tradition that was so important to his parents, Samuel and Susannah, and life in the Epworth rectory. It informed his theology and preaching. He expected the people called “Methodists” to pray this prayer at the beginning of each new year as a way of remembering and renewing their baptismal covenant. The prayer describes the life of a participant with Christ in mission. The prayer helps us remember
what a Jesus-way of life looks like. (Rev. Steven Manskar, Discipleship Resources, The United Methodist Church)
“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.”