What is the Covenant Service?
On Sunday the 23 January 2022 we celebrate our “Covenant Service”. For over 260 years Methodists have held an annual Covenant Renewal Service. At the heart of the service is the Covenant Prayer:
I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me,
in all that I do
and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me
and when there is none;
when I am troubled
and when I am at peace.
Your will be done
when I am valued
and when I pass unnoticed;
when I find fulfillment
and when it is lacking;
when I have all things,
and when I have nothing.
I willingly offer
all I have and am
to serve you,
just as you choose to use me.
Glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth
be fulfilled in heaven.
Amen.
In the Covenant Service we are reminded that, in Jesus Christ, God has established a “New Covenant” with us. In the “New Covenant” our sins are forgiven and God’s law is written on our hearts (Jer. 31:31ff).
Why do we pray the Covenant Prayer?
The Covenant Prayer helps us to respond to this wonderful gift of grace. We say to God: “Yes, this is what we want to be part of. We
love you, we trust you and we give ourselves completely to you”. We express our absolute trust in Jesus and our faith in God’s constant presence, protection, provision and guidance.
What about those who are not ready to pray this prayer?
If you don’t yet feel ready to pray the Covenant Prayer then, during the service when we stand for the prayer, we’ll simply ask you to pray silently for those around you who do pray it.
How do we faithfully live out the words we prayed?
On reading the prayer we realize immediately how challenging it is! It speaks of a life completely surrendered to God. It won’t do to
simply pray it passionately; however sincere we may feel. We’ll have to organize our lives in such a way that we can a) grow in knowing and trusting the God that Jesus reveals and b) learn how to do the things Jesus tells us to do. In other words, we will need to train ourselves for this way of life (or at least allow the Holy Spirit to train us).