Pressing Forward for Wednesday, 7 June 2017 The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
Q. In what manner should we preach sanctification?
A. Scarce at all to those who are not pressing forward: to those who are, always by way of promise; always drawing rather than driving. [John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶17.]
A Hymn from Charles Wesley:
1. Sinners, your hearts lift up,
Partakers of your hope!
This the Day of Pentecost;
Ask, and ye shall all receive;
Surely now the Holy Ghost,
God to all that ask shall give.
2. All may from him receive
A power to turn and live;
Grace for every soul is free,
All may hear th’effectual call;
All the light of life may see,
All may feel he died for all.
(Collection-1781, #84:1 & 5)
Questions for Reflection:
1. In the word from John Wesley this week, he says sanctification and spiritual maturity is to be preached only to those who are “pressing forward”—those desiring a deeper relationship with God in Christ. What do you understand him to mean when he says, “always drawing, never driving”? Is there a practical and personal implication of this insight in your life and ministry? If so, what is it? If not, why not?
2. The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision and desire to be one help people grow to full maturity in Christ. In your opinion, what difference does this emphasis on spiritual maturity make?
3. What is the meaning for us today when Charles Wesley guides us to sing the words above? What is the promise?
4. Reflect on the meaning of Pentecost—the power of Christ made available to us in his resurrection and present in us because of Pentecost. Do you agree with Charles Wesley when he writes “God to all that ask shall give”?
Prayer:
Holy God, you spoke the world into being. Pour your Spirit to the ends of the earth, that your children may return from exile as citizens of your commonwealth, and our divisions may be healed by your word of love and righteousness. 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.Faithful Prayer for Sunday, 4 June 2017 The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017
A Word from John Wesley
Q. In what manner should we preach sanctification?
A. Scarce at all to those who are not pressing forward: to those who are, always by way of promise; always drawing rather than driving. [John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶17.]
A Hymn from Charles Wesley:
1. Sinners, your hearts lift up,
Partakers of your hope!
This the Day of Pentecost;
Ask, and ye shall all receive;
Surely now the Holy Ghost,
God to all that ask shall give.
2. All may from him receive
A power to turn and live;
Grace for every soul is free,
All may hear th’effectual call;
All the light of life may see,
All may feel he died for all.
(Collection-1781, #84:1 & 5)
Questions for Reflection:
1. In the word from John Wesley this week, he says sanctification and spiritual maturity is to be preached only to those who are “pressing forward”—those desiring a deeper relationship with God in Christ. What do you understand him to mean when he says, “always drawing, never driving”? Is there a practical and personal implication of this insight in your life and ministry? If so, what is it? If not, why not?
2. The gift and the challenge of the Wesleyan way of discipleship is this vision and desire to be one help people grow to full maturity in Christ. In your opinion, what difference does this emphasis on spiritual maturity make?
3. What is the meaning for us today when Charles Wesley guides us to sing the words above? What is the promise?
4. Reflect on the meaning of Pentecost—the power of Christ made available to us in his resurrection and present in us because of Pentecost. Do you agree with Charles Wesley when he writes “God to all that ask shall give”?
Prayer:
Holy God, you spoke the world into being. Pour your Spirit to the ends of the earth, that your children may return from exile as citizens of your commonwealth, and our divisions may be healed by your word of love and righteousness. 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.Faithful Prayer for Sunday, 4 June 2017 The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Sunday, JUNE 4, 2017
PENTECOST SUNDAY
A prayer poem by Leonard E. Fairley, Resident Bishop of Kentucky and Red Bird Annual Conferences, leading the United Methodist Church in “Praying Our Way Forward” for the week of June 4-June 10, 2017.
Faithful Prayer
Faith in what is not seen,
resting in the hopeful
mystery of whispered prayers.
Faith in answers beyond my
control, “Lord I believe, help
My unbelief.”*
Faith in “the more excellent way.”**
Love will find a way through the
darkest night.
Faith in prayers from hearts that
seek a way forward, letting go of
anxiety’s grip.
Faith in all the light we cannot
See, shining a path when fear
draws near.
Faith in the Word made flesh,
calling us to lay our weapons
aside.
Faith, evident in prayerful
words too deep, only sighs.
Hear our cry Lord!
I know the answer lies in you, Oh Lord, just grant me the faith to believe that such a thing is possible no matter the storms that rage. Amen
PENTECOST SUNDAY
A prayer poem by Leonard E. Fairley, Resident Bishop of Kentucky and Red Bird Annual Conferences, leading the United Methodist Church in “Praying Our Way Forward” for the week of June 4-June 10, 2017.
Faithful Prayer
Faith in what is not seen,
resting in the hopeful
mystery of whispered prayers.
Faith in answers beyond my
control, “Lord I believe, help
My unbelief.”*
Faith in “the more excellent way.”**
Love will find a way through the
darkest night.
Faith in prayers from hearts that
seek a way forward, letting go of
anxiety’s grip.
Faith in all the light we cannot
See, shining a path when fear
draws near.
Faith in the Word made flesh,
calling us to lay our weapons
aside.
Faith, evident in prayerful
words too deep, only sighs.
Hear our cry Lord!
I know the answer lies in you, Oh Lord, just grant me the faith to believe that such a thing is possible no matter the storms that rage. Amen
*Mark 9:24; **1 Corinthians 12:31
Join with Bishop Fairley and conference leaders who are providing daily prayers this month for the United Methodist Church and the Commission on the Way Forward.
Visit their site: http://www.kyumc.org/ac2017prayersforourchurch
Join with Bishop Fairley and conference leaders who are providing daily prayers this month for the United Methodist Church and the Commission on the Way Forward.
Visit their site: http://www.kyumc.org/ac2017prayersforourchurch
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Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
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