The United Methodist Church Prays of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 11 October 2017 "My Feeble Mind Transform"

The United Methodist Church Prays of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 11 October 2017 "My Feeble Mind Transform"

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
But some who maintain this doctrine in its full extent are too often guilty of limiting the Almighty. He dispenses His gifts just as He pleases; therefore it is neither wise nor modest to affirm that a person must be a believer for any length of time before he is capable of receiving a high degree of the Spirit of holiness. (John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶21.)
A Hymn from Charles Wesley
1. God of almighty love,
By whose sufficient grace
I lift my heart to things above,
And humbly seek thy face;
Through Jesus Christ the just
My faint desires receive,
And let me in thy goodness trust,
And to thy glory live.
2. Spirit of faith, inspire
My consecrated heart;
Fill me with pure, celestial fire,
With all thou hast and art;
My feeble mind transform,
And, perfectly renewed,
Into a saint exalt a worm—
A worm exalt to God! (Collection-1781, #314: 1, 3)
Questions for Reflection:

1. In John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist, he says, “it is neither wise nor modest to affirm that a person must be a believer for any length of time before he is capable of receiving a high degree of the Spirit of holiness.” What does this mean to you?
2. What is the meaning of Charles Wesley’s hymn? What is your response to it?
3. The Bible urges us to have “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) and Charles Wesley guides us to sing (and pray) “My feeble mind transform.” Are these the same thing? Why?
4. Today, give a few minutes to meditate on Charles Wesley’s hymn and pray this phrase, “Fill me with pure, celestial fire.”

Prayer
God, our beloved, you set before us the goal of new life in Christ. May we live in the power of his resurrection and bring forth the fruit of your gentle and loving rule. Amen.

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.

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