When a new year begins it is common for a person to make “New Year’s Resolutions”. They could include spiritual goals: read the Bible more, pray more. They could be personal health decisions: eat healthier, lose weight, and exercise more. They could relate to home issues: spend more time with family, watch less television and do things together. I think this is a way that we are attempting to evaluate our lives and see where we can make better choices that relate to our whole lives.
When I served as the pastor in the local church, as a part of our the final worship service of year, before serving Holy Communion, I would lead the congregation in the Covenant Prayer that was prayed by John Wesley in England in 1780.
When I served as the pastor in the local church, as a part of our the final worship service of year, before serving Holy Communion, I would lead the congregation in the Covenant Prayer that was prayed by John Wesley in England in 1780.
“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, 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."
I prayed this prayer and made it my renewed commitment on the final night of 2009.
But now I have added a second prayer of commitment. It is one that we often read during our ILI conferences so it may be familiar to you. It is the final testimony of an African Christian in Zimbabwe just before he was martyred for his faith. For me it adds to what the Covenant Prayer says but also states more specifically my desire to become more intimate and committed so God can use my life. Read these piercing words and see how they might impact you.
“The Fellowship of the Unashamed”
I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, preach ‘till all know, and work ‘till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear: I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
As we enter this New Year, there is no question in my mind that the way we are going to help make the Kingdom of God more real on earth is by living out these two prayers of commitment. They may say it differently but they seem to echo the words of Jesus in Luke 9:23: If anyone will come after Me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.
1 comment:
An awesome promise, an awesome commitment, a magnificient obsession. A vow not to be made lightly, but one that surely would lead to complete fulfillment.
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