ETERNAL GOD, Give us discerning hearts to recognize the fear in our anger, the muffled hope in our cynicism, and the wounds we carry as weapons. Help us see ourselves as you see us, and love ourselves and others with your gracious love. Amen.

- Melissa Tidwell
Alive Now

By Melissa Tidwell in Alive Now Magazine, January/February 2001, p. 20. Copyright (C) 2001 by The Upper Room. All Rights Reserved

IN ORDER TO LIVE the life God yearns for us to have, we must let go of where we are now and what we love in order to live into the bigger place to which God is calling us.We have to be willing to endure chaos and not know where it will all end in order to experience new life.

- Valerie K. Isenhower and Judith A. Todd
Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment

From p. 22 of Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment by Valerie K. Isenhower and Judith A. Todd. Copyright © 2008

THOUGH we are often inhospitable, God keeps coming, and without regard for a designated season is born in mystery where the known and unknown dance on the edge of the miraculous. Angels appear in human disguise, a hallelujah chorus surrounding us in the fields of this common earth we walk on and watch from. Behind paper windows are symbols we don’t yet recognize, and our unlighted candles burst into flame on altars we haven’t acknowledged. Around us the breathing of the animals is slow and deep, their expectant, steady gaze directed toward the rough door that is just beginning to open. Each night, the stars signal a new journey, and all year long God keeps coming.

- Jeanne Lohmann
Alive Now

From “God Keeps Coming” by Jeanne Lohmann in ALIVE NOW(R), November/December 2000, p. 56. Edited by George R. Graham. Copyright © 2000 by The Upper Room

Another good one one to read and ponder by Dan Dick at
http://doroteos2.wordpress.com/

GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS, guide me through the seasons of the coming year. Whatever joy or hardship I face, let me face it standing with you. Whatever building up or tearing down that I encounter, let me take action under your care. For you are the creator of every season. Amen.

- Beth A. Richardson
The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas

From p. 66 of The Uncluttered Heart. Copyright © 2009 The Upper Room

Wesley’s Covenant Prayer

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.


GOD, IN THIS NEW YEAR, may I no longer be 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 for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for 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 — Creator, Redeemer, and Inspirer — you are mine, and I am yours. May this promise that I hereby make on earth be ratified in heaven. Amen. [An adaptation by W. Paul Jones of Wesley's Watchnight vows.]

- W. Paul Jones
An Eclectic Almanac for the Faithful

From p. 438 of An Eclectic Almanac for the Faithful by W. Paul Jones. Copyright © 2006 by W. Paul Jon

HOLY INFANT, we treasure you and the gift of love that you bring to us today. Amen.

- Beth A. Richardson
Child of the Light: Walking Through Advent and Christmas

From page 89 of CHILD OF THE LIGHT: Walking through Advent and Christmas by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright (c) 2005 by Beth A. Richardson