wfn.org | United Methodist Pastor writes book based on popular Covenant Prayer

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Aug. 16, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.     10-71B{350}

By United Methodist News Service

During a time of heightened interest in prayer, a United Methodist pastor is
recommending a deeper look at the Covenant Prayer made popular by
Methodism's founder John Wesley.

In a new book to be released in November by Paraclete Press, the Rev. Keith
Beasley -Topliffe demonstrates how simple, familiar prayers can be a doorway
to deeper prayer and transformation.   In Surrendering to God: Living the
Covenant Prayer, Beasley-Topliffe shares his own experience of praying and
meditating on the classic prayer found today in the United Methodist Hymnal
(Page 607) and other worship resources.

Surrendering to God,  provides a brief history of the prayer and a
meditation on each phrase.  Written in informal, conversational style, the
book is intended to help readers move beyond repetition into a more
reflective experience of  prayer.  "There is a great spiritual longing in
our culture being filled by all sorts of exotica," notes Beasley-Topliffe.
"I hope this book helps fill that longing by encouraging people to look more
deeply at what they already know."

The first covenant service in the Methodist movement is thought to have been
celebrated in 1755, according to the United Methodist Book of Worship.  The
service has been popular for use on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and on
the first Sunday of a new year.

In a recent commentary written for United Methodist News Service (story
#290), the Rev. Ken Carter, a pastor in Winston-Salem, N.C.,  said "Our
spiritual heritage is captured in the words of the covenant prayer.  They
are profoundly biblical and express a radical dependence on God and
submission to God's will."

Beasley-Topliffe, pastor of Fifth Street United Methodist Church in
Harrisburg, Pa., is author of numerous articles and reviews.  He has served
as editor of The Upper Room Classics and has been a major contributor to The
Spiritual Formation Bible. He is general editor for The Upper Room
Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation scheduled for release in 2003.
He also writes frequently for Weavings  magazine, published by The Upper
Room.

Surrendering to God (ISBN 1-55725-284-X) will be available Sept. 15 from
Cokesbury  (800) 672-1789 or directly from Paraclete Press at
www.paracletepress.com , (800) 451-5006.

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United Methodist News Service
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