Wesley Covenant Renewal Service-Adapted

Wesley’s Covenant Renewal Service

Wesley found the Covenant Service to be a rich and meaningful, as expressed in his  Journal: “Many mourned before God, and many were comforted” (April 1756); “It was, as usual, a time of remarkable blessing” (October 1765); “It was an occasion for a variety of spiritual experiences ... I do not know that ever we had a greater blessing. Afterwards many desired to return thanks, either for a sense of pardon, for full salvation, or for a fresh manifestation of His graces, healing all their backslidings” (January 1, 1775). In London these services were usually held on New Year's Day. Around the country the Covenant Service was conducted whenever John Wesley visited the Methodist Societies.

The heart of the service, focused in the Covenant Prayer, requires persons to commit themselves to God. This covenant is serious and assumes adequate preparation for and continual response to the covenant.

The following is the covenant portion of next week’s Wesley Covenant Renewal Service:

INVITATION:

Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants. Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him.

Christ has many services to be done. Some are more easy and honorable, others are more difficult and disgraceful. Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests, others are contrary to both.

In some we may please Christ and please ourselves. But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. It is necessary, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ. Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray:

Let me be your servant, under your command.

I will no longer be my own.

I will give up myself to your will in all things.

Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.

Lord, make me what you will.

I put myself fully into your hands:

     put me to doing, put me to suffering,

     let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,

     let me be full, let me be empty,

     let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and with a willing heart

     give it all to your pleasure and disposal.

Christ is the source of all salvation for all who seek him. Christ does not seek to enter through coercion or fear. He seeks servants who openly consent to his way. To make this covenant a reality in your life, listen to these admonitions: First, set apart some time, more than once, to be spent alone before the Lord; in seeking earnestly God's special assistance and gracious acceptance of you; in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant; in searching your hearts whether you have already freely given your life to Christ.

Consider what your sins are. Consider the laws of Christ, how holy they are, and whether you, after having carefully considered them, are willing to choose them. Be sure you are clear in these matters, being honest with yourself and open to God. Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence. Third, claim God's covenant, rely upon God's promise of giving grace and strength, so you can keep your promise. Trust not your own strength and power. Fourth, resolve to be faithful. You have given to the Lord your hearts, you have opened your mouths to the Lord, and you have dedicated yourself to God. With God's power, never go back.  And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord.

COVENANT PRAYER

O righteous God, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, see me as I am before you.

Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will, for you have promised mercy to me if I turn to you with my whole heart.

God requires that you shall put away all your idols.

I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all, covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life. Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world. In your power I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you.

Through Christ, God seeks to be sovereign in all hearts that love the Lord and seek to live in peace with one another.

Before all heaven and earth, I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God.

I take you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for my portion, and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant, to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.

God has given the Lord Jesus Christ as the way and means of coming to God.

Jesus, I do here accept Christ as the living Way for my life, and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him. O blessed Jesus, I come to you recognizing my need of you in my life. I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness.

I take you for my guide. I take your will as my law.

Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.

I do here covenant with you, O Christ, to take my lot with you as it may fall. Through your grace I promise that neither life nor death shall part me from you.

God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.

I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden. All your laws are holy, just, and good. I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions, promising that I will strive to order my whole life according to your direction, and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.

The almighty God searches and knows your heart.

O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today out of a sincere desire to order my life according to your will. If any falsehood or confusion be within my heart, guide me and help me to set it aright.

And now, glory be to you, O God the Creator of all, whom I look upon as my source of wisdom and strength. Glory be to you, O God the Son, who is my Savior and Redeemer. Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit, who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God.

I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant. So be it.

And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven. Amen.