Good morning,
A Christian’s Solemn Dedication to God
Philip Doddridge, 1745
(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)
“Eternal and ever-blessed God! I desire to present myself before You, with the deepest humiliation and abasement of soul, sensible how unworthy such a sinful worm is to appear before the holy Majesty of Heaven, the King of kings and Lord of lords; and especially on such an occasion as this, ever to dedicate myself, without reserve, to You.
“I come therefore, acknowledging myself to have been a great offender; smiting upon my bosom, and saying with the humble publican, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I come, in Jesus’ name, and wholly trusting in His perfect righteousness, entreating that for His sake, you will be merciful to my unrighteousness, and will remember my sins no more. Receive, I beseech You, Your adopted child, who desires this day with the utmost solemnity, to be wholly devoted to You.
“I renounce all former idols that have had dominion over me. I consecrate to You, all that I am, and all that I have: the faculties of my mind, the members of my body, my worldly possessions, my time, and my influence over others; to be all used for Your glory, and resolutely employed in obedience to Your commands, as long as You continue my life; with an ardent desire and humble resolution to continue to be Yours through all the endless ages of eternity; ever holding myself in an attentive posture to observe the first intimations of Your will, and ready to spring forward with zeal and joy to the immediate obedience of Your Word.
“To Your direction also, I resign myself and all I am and have, to be disposed of by You in such a manner as You shall in Your infinite wisdom, judge most subservient to the purposes of Your glory. To You I leave the management of all events, and say without reserve, ‘Not my will, but may Your will be done!’
“O Lord, transform me more and more into the image of Your beloved Son! Impart to me through Him, all needful influences of your purifying, cheering, and comforting Spirit! And let my life be spent under those influences, and in the light of your gracious countenance, as my Father and my God!
“And when the solemn hour of my death comes, may You look down with pity on your languishing, dying child, and embrace me in Your everlasting arms! Amen.”
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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