A Prayer for the New Year

I know 2007 is almost 10 days old now, but it isn't too late to offer this prayer for the new year. It's a prayer that some have attributed to John Wesley - though I don't think anyone has ever traced it directly to him. Most Wesleyan theologians now simply call it a covenant prayer in the Wesleyan tradition. Whatever it's called and whoever first prayed it are not really important. But the content of the prayer cuts right to the heart. I pray it often - though not often enough. It is definitely a prayer that should be prayed as a New Year's resolution annually.

I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what You will;
Rank me with whom You will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You,
Exalted for You or brought low by You.
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 Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You are mine, and I am Yours. So be it.
And the covenant that I have made on earth let it be confirmed in heaven.

Amen.

May you find this prayer flowing from your heart often in 2007.