X

New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

A Life-Shaping Prayer

52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit

Paul Wesley Chilcote • March 2008

BUY Print $16.99

  • Who is God to you?
  • What can you give to God?
  • How does God shape your life?
  • How do you live as a disciple of Christ?

Drawing on the rich resources of the Methodist tradition, A Life-Shaping Prayer is a beautifully written devotional resource. Centered around a prayer of an early Wesley follower, the themes of this book lead to a rediscovery of what it means to practice faith.

Advocating a holistic spirituality where prayer and life are interconnected, Chilcote's premise will make God increasingly real to you.

"Grant me, gracious Lord, a pure intention of heart and a steadfast regard to your glory in all my actions. Possess my mind continually with your presence…"" is how the prayer of Elizabeth Rhodes begins. This prayer reflects many of the central themes, values, and goals of vital Christianity. Studying and praying this prayer for a "waking spirit and a diligent soul" will lead to a Christ-filled life.

Breaking down the early Methodist prayer into 52 readings, Chilcote retooled it into a flexible devotional format that includes a scripture, a brief meditation, a Wesley hymn, and a prayer for the day. Whether you decide to read a selection a week or begin a pattern of morning/evening prayers, you'll immerse yourself in the discipline of prayer.

A Life-Shaping Prayer is suitable for individual or group reflection and is ideal as a prayer aid to prepare for Lent and Advent.

"The practice of prayer—practicing life in Christ—requires effort, but all begins and ends in God's grace and loving-kindness," writes Chilcote. "God has gifted you richly, desires to shape your life through the power of Jesus' love, and yearns for you to show yourself to be a disciple of Christ. Permit the Spirit of God to breathe new life into you."

Discover a richer life of enacted love through A Life-Shaping Prayer.


Categories: Devotional, Prayer
Paul Wesley Chilcote is professor of the Practice of Evangelism at Duke University Divinity School. Chilcote previously served as Nippert Professor of Church History and Wesleyan Studies at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and, more recently, helped to launch the new campus of Asbury Theological Seminary in Florida. Chilcote is the author of eight books. He is the president of The Charles Wesley Society, and enjoys a special relationship with Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon as a Benedictine oblate. Chilcote is a frequent speaker and workshop leader in applied Wesleyan studies, particularly in the areas of spirituality, worship, discipleship, and evangelism.

ISBN: 978-0-8358-9938-3

Imprint: Upper Room

Pub Date: March 2008

Trim Size: 5 in (w) x 8 in (h) x in (d)

Page Count: 208

BISAC Categories: RELIGION / Christian Living / Prayer

BISAC1: REL012080

BISAC2:

BISAC3:

"Drawing on the rich resources of the Methodist tradition, Dr. Chilcote takes us on a renewing journey into the presence of God. We are mentored and encouraged by a diverse 'cloud of witnesses' along the way. Through their prayers, hymns, and insights and Dr. Chilcote's own experience and knowledge of God's grace, we are led toward 'holiness of heart and life.' This is more than a book about prayer. It is prayer!"
—Kenneth L. Carder Retired United Methodist Bishop Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr Professor (Practice of Christian Ministry) Duke Divinity School

"A Life-Shaping Prayer is a beautifully written devotional resource. Steeped in the Wesleyan tradition, Paul Chilcote's 52 meditations help readers grow to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves. The book's diverse collection of Charles Wesley hymns illuminates the scripture passages and leads readers to reflect on who God is, who they are and how they are to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ."
—Steven W. Manskar Director of Accountable Discipleship, GBOD