Speak Your Name into My Heart from The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 3 May 2017

Speak Your Name into My Heart from The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 3 May 2017

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
Indeed his soul is all love; filled with “mercies, kindness, meekness, gentleness, long-suffering.” And his life agrees thereto, full of “the work of faith, the patience of hope, the labor of love.” “And whatsoever he does, either in word or deed, he does it all in the name,” in the love and power, “of the Lord Jesus.” In a word, he does “the will of God on earth, as it is done in heaven.”[John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶15.]
A Hymn from Charles Wesley
1. Hast thou been with me, Lord, so long,
Yet thee my Lord have I not known?
I claim you with a fault’ring tongue,
I pray you in a feeble groan:
Tell me, O tell me who thou art!
And speak thy name into my heart.
2. If now you talkest by the way
With such an abject, worm as me,
Thy mysteries of grace display,
Open mine eyes that I may see,
That I may understand thy word,
And now cry out, It is the Lord!
(Collection-1781, #109:2 & 3)
Questions for Reflection:

1. In John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist we are challenged to do God’s will now—on earth as it is in heaven. Is this possible? In what way?
2. As we continue the journey of Easter toward Pentecost, the life of Jesus that can be infused into our life comes more clearly into focus. This is the Wesleyan way. What does this reading from John Wesley say to you?
3. When Charles Wesley guides us to sing: “Tell me, O tell me who thou art! / And speak thy name into my heart,” what does this mean for you?
4. The second stanza is an echo of Jesus walking on the Emmaus road with the disciples. Are you willing to have your eyes opened as you sing and pray today?

Prayer
Elusive God, companion on the way, you walk behind, beside, beyond; you catch us unaware. Break through the disillusionment and despair clouding our vision, that, with wide-eyed wonder, we may find our way and journey on as messengers of your good news. 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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