FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Thursday, September 21, 2023

Care and Prayer

  
 
 
John Wesley's Covenant Prayer
I am no longer my own but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
 
 
 
A Pattern for Prayer from Treasures of the Transformed Life, pp 78-80.
 
Look at your hands.  Five fingers, five prayer emphases.
 
1. Thumb:  The thumb is the one closest to us so it represents those nearest to us:  Pray for those nearest to you: parents, spouse, children, friends, etc.  Pray for God to meet their needs, guide and direct them: that they would be aware of God's presence in their lives, etc.
 
2. Pointing Finger:  If you want to designate something in particular, use this finger to point you to it.  If you need some help, consider praying for those who help point us to Christ.  It may be the church, the pastor, a particular missionary or ministry.
 
3. The Third Finger is the tallest.  That one stands for people in high places, pray for the leaders of our nation, state and community, pray in a spirit of love for their families for God to bless and guide them that they may lead us in a way that glorifies God.
 
4. This is the weakest finger.  Pray for the weak, for the least in our world, those who are struggling with concerns of health, heart, home and hope.
5. Lastly pray for yourself, for your needs, for you to be what God calls you to be.  To be part of what God is blessing, for forgiveness, for strength, for courage and compassion.