The Wesley Covenant Prayer — I Am No Longer My Own, But Thine

I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

About This Prayer

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, held his first covenant renewal service in 1755, drawing on the words of the earlier Puritan writers Joseph and Richard Alleine. The service became a beloved tradition: on the first days of a new year, whole congregations would stand and pray this prayer together, handing the coming year — its work, its suffering, its fullness and its emptiness — back to God before it began. It endures because it refuses to bargain. Most prayers ask God for something; this one gives God everything, and finds freedom on the other side of the surrender.

In Plain Words

In your own words, this prayer says: God, I don't belong to myself anymore — I belong to You. Use me however You choose, in seasons of plenty or seasons of loss, whether I'm out front or set aside. Whatever comes, You are mine and I am Yours, and I'm asking You to seal that promise in heaven.

A Verse to Hold On To

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." — Galatians 2:20 (KJV)