PRACTICING SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
By Bishop Mike Watson

(Resource for reading the Bible through in a year can be found here)

United Methodist Christians often renew our covenant with God using a service that has come to us through John Wesley. This Covenant Renewal Service calls us to commit ourselves to God completely and totally as we confess our sin, ask forgiveness, and offer ourselves in God's service. The service asks that we pray, "Lord, make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands: put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal."

Only people of real faith can give thanks, wait with hope, receive a Savior, and commit all that we have and all that we are to God's service. One way to cultivate such a genuine faith is through daily engagement in the spiritual disciplines.

I invite you to join the Extended Cabinet as we practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study and devotional reading on a daily basis. This year, we are using The Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants edited by Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck. It is available through Cokesbury.

This guide uses the lectionary to guide our Bible reading for the each week. Writings and reflections from various Christian authors and spiritual giants stretch us to explore more fully the God who calls us to an ever-deepening relationship and an ever-expanding faith.

Another resource that many have found helpful in deepening their faith is a schedule for reading the Bible through in one year. I find God speaking afresh to me each time I read through the Bible. Many have written me to share how God has blessed them during the last year as they encounter the Living Word through daily Bible reading.

The only way we can cultivate a heart that is open to praying and living out the Wesley Covenant Prayer is as the Holy Spirit meets us, transforms us, and empowers us during our times of communion with God. Let us join together as sisters and brothers from all across the conference with a renewed commitment to practicing the spiritual disciplines.