“I will pay my vows unto the Lord. “ Psalm 116:18.
I come to You, most Blessed Lord, to renew my vows. My soul lies low in penitence before You, as I recall all Your patience and loving kindness, Your forbearance and tender pity, towards one of the most unworthy of Your followers. I have so often failed You, and brought shame upon Your name; I have disappointed You, when I might have given You pleasure; I have thwarted You, when I might have yielded to Your holy purpose. My only plea is Your most precious Blood. You have magnified Your mercy in saving me at all: now magnify Your grace in forgiving and restoring my souL Let me now stand again in Your holy presence and speak with You face to face.
“May there be nothing between us, Lord, nothing between us.”
From this moment, I solemnly, and by Your grace, renounce and put away the evil things which have gained an unholy supremacy over me – the companionships that lower the temperature of my inner life; the television programs, movies, und amusements which have cast a shadow on my hours of fellowship; the sin which so easily besets me; the soft yielding to sloth which has robbed me of so many seasons of hallowed communion; the desire to please men rather than You, and to succeed in this world rather than to be a humble servant in Your glorious household. All these I hereby steadfastly renounce and forsake. Other lords have had dominion over me; but henceforth by You onIy will I make mention of Your name. Especially do I steadfastly resolve by Your grace to renounce the devil and all his works; the world and all its vanity; the flesh and all its selfish and sinful desires; so that I may not follow or be led by them.
In myself I cannot keep these resolutions – my will is like a bruised reed, my desires like smoking flax; but oh, keep me true! You have kept my soul from death; will You not also keep my feet from falling, that I may walk before the Lord in the light of the living? You are able to keep me from stumbling, and present me faultless before the presence of Your glory with exceeding joy; into Your hands I commend my spirit: and I am persuaded that You do accept and will keep what I commit to You against that day.
And now, Lord, I yield myself to You – spirit, soul, and body – that as these were once filled and used by the Spirit of EviL they may henceforth be filled and used by Your Holy Spirit, who is one with You and the Father in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Never again, by Your help, shall sin reign in my mortal body, that I should obey the lusts thereof. It may tempt me by its suggestions; but it shall not reign, since I desire to present myself unto God as one alive from the dead, and my members as instrument of righteousness unto God.
In my inner life, I desire to be kept absolutely pure and lovely. O Holy and Spotless One, be in me the crystal fountain of purity! O Lamb of God, be in me the source of absolute meekness and humility! O Lover of Men, be in me a fire of unwaning, all-subduing tenderness! Make me instantly sensitive to the least taint of impurity and uncharity. Before ever the suggestion has assumed a tangible shape, may I detect it, and shelter in You. In my home life, may I be made a blessing; its sunbeam when the days are dark; its inspiration when the days are sad and hopeless; its tender comfort when the days are full of pain and tears. Always thinking of others before myself; never imposing my private sorrows or moods; washing my face, and anointing my head, and confiding my grief to You only.
In my spiritual life, may the neglect of prayer and Your Holy Word be things of the past. Wake me morning by morning to hear as a disciple. Enable me to spring up at Your call; and, like all Your true servants, to rise up early in the morning to gather the manna before the dew is gone from it. May my fellowship with You be unbroken through the day, that I may often look up into Your face, even if I have not time to speak. Draw me, and I will run after You.
In my daily calling, make me diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. May I do my work, not for the wages I may get, nor to secure an advance – but so as to please You. May it be the one object of my daily striving to do all to the glory of God – not with eye service, as pleasing men; but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord; doing the will of God, as it is indicated in the circumstances of my life, and looking for my reward from Your hand, O Divine Master!
In my use of money, may I not be anxious about the future, nor hoard up and keep for myself of that which You have given me; I want to be Your very slave, counting myself, and all I have, as Your purchased property, and using all things as Your representative and steward.
In my use of time, and health, and all the opportunities of life, I desire to act with reverent care; redeeming the time; buying up each opportunity; conserving my body as the pure temple of the Holy Ghost: so partaking of recreation, food, natural scenery, travel, and all lawful pastimes, that I may the better serve Your purpose in my creation and redemption. Show me what my talents are which You have entrusted to me, and help me to make the two, four; and the five, ten.
Now, bless me, even me, 0 Lord. I am Yours:
Your Father gave me to You before the world was made; You did purchase me for Yourself by Your most precious Blood; You have begun a good work within me by Your Holy Spirit: and now, afresh take me to Your heart, and seal me with Your Spirit. May He enlighten, comfort, and sanctify me; teaching me to pray, and opening the eyes of my heart that I may know You and the power of Your resurrection, that, as You have ascended into the heavens, so I may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with You continually dwell, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, world without end.
Amen.
A Form of Dedication
By F. B. Myer, from his book “Saved and Kept”
Adaptation by John Brown
