The United Methodist Church Prays of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 18 October 2017 "Ready for All Your Perfect Will"

The United Methodist Church Prays of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 18 October 2017 "Ready for All Your Perfect Will"

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
God’s usual method is one thing, but His sovereign pleasure is another. He has wise reasons both for hastening and retarding His work. Sometimes He comes suddenly, and unexpectedly; sometimes, not till we have long looked for him.
Indeed it has been my opinion for many years, that one great cause why people make so little improvement in the divine life is their own coldness, negligence, and unbelief. And yet I here speak of believers.
May the Spirit of Christ give us a right judgment in all things, and “fill us with all the fullness of God;” that so we may be “perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶21.)
A Hymn from Charles Wesley
1. O thou who camest from above
The pure celestial fire t’impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
On the mean altar of my heart!
2. There let it for thy glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze,
And trembling to its source return
In humble love, and fervent praise.
3. Jesu, confirm my heart’s desire
To work, and speak, and think for thee;
Still let me guard the holy fire,
And still stir up thy gift in me;
4. Ready for all thy perfect will,
My acts of faith and love repeat,
Till death thy endless mercies seal,
And make the sacrifice complete. (Collection-1781, #318).
Questions for Reflection:

1. In John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist, he wants his followers to grow in grace and make significant progress in the divine life. What does this mean for you?
2. What is the meaning of Charles Wesley’s hymn? What is your response to it?
3. Today, give three or four minutes to meditate on these words: “There let it for thy glory burn / With inextinguishable blaze, / And trembling to its source return / In humble love, and fervent praise.”

Prayer: God of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses, you stayed the hand of your wrath when we fell into idolatry and discord; and when we forgot our deliverance, your love for us remained unchanging. Transform us and our world into a place of justice, love, and peace. Welcome us to your wedding feast where all are invited to be gathered in 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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