Inwardly and Outwardly Devoted to God for Wednesday, 17 May 2017 - The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
A Word from John Wesley:Our first conception of [perfection] was, It is to have ‘the mind which was in Christ,’ and to ‘walk as He walked;’ to have all the mind that was in Him, and always to walk as He walked: in other words, to be inwardly and outwardly devoted to God; all devoted in heart and life.[John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶16.]
A Hymn from Charles Wesley:
1. When, O my God, shall I
For thee submit to die?
How the mighty debt repay?
Rival of thy passion prove?
Lead me in thyself the way,
Melt my hardness into love.
2. To love is all my wish,
I only live for this:
Grant me, Lord, my heart’s desire,
There by faith for ever dwell.
This I always will require,
Thee, and only thee to feel.(Collection-1781, #26:3 & 4)
Questions for Reflection:
In this selection from John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist he weaves together a variety of scripture verses to paint the picture of a person “inwardly and outwardly devoted to God; all devoted in heart and life.” Why is this important to John Wesley? Is it important for you? Why or why not?
The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision and desire to live and love like Jesus Christ. What do the words in this selection from Charles Wesley’s hymn mean to you? How does it help us “pray our way forward as the United Methodist Church today?
Reflect on the meaning of this season in the Christian year—the mystery of the power of Christ made available to us in his resurrection and soon to be made present in us at Pentecost. What does this mean to you?
Prayer: Risen Christ, you prepare a place for us, in the home of the Mother-and-Father of us all. Draw us more deeply into yourself, through Scripture read, water splashed, bread broken, wine poured, so that when our hearts are troubled, we will know you more completely as the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
A Word from John Wesley:Our first conception of [perfection] was, It is to have ‘the mind which was in Christ,’ and to ‘walk as He walked;’ to have all the mind that was in Him, and always to walk as He walked: in other words, to be inwardly and outwardly devoted to God; all devoted in heart and life.[John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶16.]
A Hymn from Charles Wesley:
1. When, O my God, shall I
For thee submit to die?
How the mighty debt repay?
Rival of thy passion prove?
Lead me in thyself the way,
Melt my hardness into love.
2. To love is all my wish,
I only live for this:
Grant me, Lord, my heart’s desire,
There by faith for ever dwell.
This I always will require,
Thee, and only thee to feel.(Collection-1781, #26:3 & 4)
Questions for Reflection:
In this selection from John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist he weaves together a variety of scripture verses to paint the picture of a person “inwardly and outwardly devoted to God; all devoted in heart and life.” Why is this important to John Wesley? Is it important for you? Why or why not?
The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision and desire to live and love like Jesus Christ. What do the words in this selection from Charles Wesley’s hymn mean to you? How does it help us “pray our way forward as the United Methodist Church today?
Reflect on the meaning of this season in the Christian year—the mystery of the power of Christ made available to us in his resurrection and soon to be made present in us at Pentecost. What does this mean to you?
Prayer: Risen Christ, you prepare a place for us, in the home of the Mother-and-Father of us all. Draw us more deeply into yourself, through Scripture read, water splashed, bread broken, wine poured, so that when our hearts are troubled, we will know you more completely as the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
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The Wesley excerpts are from A Disciple’s Journal—2017: A Guide for Daily Prayer, Bible Reading, and Discipleship, by Steven W. Manskar. Copyright © 2017 Discipleship Resources, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The prayer is reprinted with permission from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002, Consultation on Common Texts.
Copyright © 2017 The Upper Room, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Copyright © 2017 The Upper Room, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
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