The President's View A Dialogue with SPU President Daniel J. Martin

A Prayer for Peace

By Daniel J. Martin

Although there is certainly evil, injustice, and pain in our world, the gospel story is about a God who brings light into our darkness, a God who brings wholeness to our brokenness, and a God who enters into a world of conflict and calls people to peace.

Scripture tells of two kinds of peace. First, there is the peace that describes our own relationship with God through Christ. Second, there is the peace that comes from reconciliation between people, also through Christ. My prayer is that we, as the SPU community, will seek peace in all we do.

Christians in Seattle Pacific's Wesleyan tradition often mark a new year by reciting the following covenant prayer. In January, I invited the SPU faculty, staff, and students to begin 2013 with this prayer. I invite you to do the same. I hope you will find this, as I do, a commitment of renewal and a challenge to be an instrument of God's purposes in the world.

Covenant Prayer

Holy God, 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.