And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
The most awesome thing about covenants made with God is that it has two dimensions, the earthly one, and the heavenly one. Jesus gave us the example of this in His prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." John Wesley's prayer asks God to honor and fulfill this covenant. The word itself means to make valid or to receive final approval. We see it used in the making of laws and when the final executive signs it, it becomes law. In this covenant, we are expecting God's approval and "signature" to make it not a law, but our way of life. If all covenants recognized the heavenly dimension of them, we would see less of the troubles we invite into those areas where we make covenants, such as marriage or baptism.
This prayer has signaled our willingness to be in a completely dependent relationship with God. We have surrendered to God and rely and trust wholly on God. We have asked God to be present in every aspect of our lives and we want our lives to bless God and God's people. We want our lives to have an impact not only on the earth, but also in heaven.
PRAYER: God of our lives, let this truly be my prayer as I pray it, "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 for 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, 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."
