The Powerhouse of Methodism

This meditative little space connected to John Wesley’s bedroom in his London home has been called the “powerhouse of Methodism” because of the hours Wesley spent on his knees here before God in prayer.  He regarded prayer as one of the chief means of grace in the life of a Christian, and it was indeed the energy behind Wesley’s life and ministry and behind the Methodist revival itself.  As a child, he was instructed in the things of God by his mother Susanna and his father Samuel, and his practice of steeping each day in time set apart with God, first nurtured in the Epworth rectory, lasted his whole long life.

In 1733 while a fellow at Lincoln College, he published A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week.  Much of the content came from an earlier manual of prayer called The True Church of England Man's Companion in the Closet; or, A Complete Manual of Private Devotion.  Compiled by the Rev. Nathaniel Spinckes, this earlier collection assigned prayers for every day of the week, morning and evening, and Wesley included prayers of his own creation, while editing and shifting material around.

Wesley believed that a regular practice of praying with words hallowed by long use in the Church would enable his students to develop their own rhythm of prayer, surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses. He also added a list of questions for self-examination somewhat similar to the “examen” of Ignatius of Loyola, but I do not know whether or not he had studied the Ignatian method or whether his inspiration came from elsewhere. That would be fascinating to discover!  At any rate, it is interesting that he omitted these questions in the 1740 printing, while restoring them in later editions, and it will come as no surprise to hear that, as new versions of the book were published, hymns reflecting Methodism’s particular theological emphases were added and other adjustments were made so it could be used more generally, particularly for family devotions.

But Wesley's understanding of prayer was broader than time spent at these specified hours, important though they were.  He was convinced of the necessity of praying as an ongoing activity, comparing it to the very breath we take, without which life itself cannot continue.  In his notes on Ephesians 6:18, Wesley speaks of inwardly praying without ceasing through the influence of the Holy Spirit, by means of public AND private prayer, mental AND vocal.  He goes on to say that

Some are careful in respect of one kind of prayer, and negligent in others. If we would have the petitions we ask, let us use all. Some there are who use only mental prayer or ejaculations, and think they are in a state of grace, and use a way of worship, far superior to any other: but such only fancy themselves to be above what is really above them; it requiring far more grace to be enabled to pour out a fervent and continued prayer, than to offer up mental aspirations. 

He also urges perseverance in prayer, comparing it to Christ's intense supplications in the Garden of Gethsemane and stresses the importance of "wrestling in fervent, continued intercession for others, especially for the faithful, that they may do all the will of God, and be steadfast to the end. Perhaps we receive few answers to prayer, because we do not intercede enough for others."

In this new year, how might you grow in your understanding and practice of prayer?  If you don't usually set time aside for study of scripture and formal prayer, perhaps now is a good time to start.  If you only use written forms of prayer and never pray in your own words, you may wish to acquaint yourself with this way of being with God. Try reading prayers aloud or speaking your thoughts aloud.  Notice the silence or the birdsong or your own breathing and let it remind you that there is nowhere we can be where God is not.  And expand your petitions and thoughts beyond your own desires so that you may entreat God on behalf of others, trusting that as you spend time simply breathing in God's presence and breathing out God's love, you are indeed praying without ceasing.  I will leave you with one final thought.  From a letter written by John Wesley to Mary Bosanquet, hear these comforting words of grace when you think you can't pray, when you don't want to pray, or you don't know how to pray --

It is certainly right to pray whether we can pray or no. God hears, even when we hardly hear ourselves. ~ John Wesley (March 26, 1770)