At the beginning of each year, many Methodists use Wesley's Covenant Prayer to set priorities. This year it has been especially meaningful to me.
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 for thee or laid aside for thee'
exalted for thee or brought low by 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. (The United Methodist Hymnal, #607)
To pray this prayer and really mean it humbles my soul. At this time, within the last month before leaving for St. Louis, I have felt much stress and bewilderment about the right thing to come out of General Conference. I am not sure which plan is the answer. What God speaks to my heart is that I don't yet know the right question. My response is to change my personal prayer to this prayer and listen for God's leading.
So, I invite you to not only pray for the General Conference daily but to pray this prayer daily and mean it. The structures we share as a denomination don't restrict the way we respond to God's call on our own lives.