Week 1 Means of Grace sermon John Wesle

Your description of “means of grace”
Based on Wesley’s sermon:
Which of the three has been most powerful in your life and
how? 

Which of the three has been least influential so far in
your life? 

Other: List two other "means of grace" in your life that are
not included in Wesley's prime list-give examples from your own life.

Means of Grace: the way in which God’s love, providence, wisdom, and answers come to a person as they wait upon Him and His timing
Most influential?
John Wesley spoke about the “…way of prayer” in his sixteenth sermon. He spoke about prayer and waiting. I know about praying and waiting in desperate circumstances, in broken hearted hope, in excited anticipation of what could come, and in the hope for someone’s salvation. All areas in which quick answers never really came.
“Lord, please let Jon and I have children; please heal my body so that I can have babies in spite of what the doctors are all saying. Let us have the joy of being parents, Jesus.” This is a prayer (and many similar to that) we prayed for eight years. Hoping and waiting on His answer and fulfillment.
“Lord please save my sister’s life. Please keep her safe even in the midst of her drunkenness and drugs. Jesus please keep her alive long enough to come to you for salvation.” I have been praying this for over 30 years and still I believe for her salvation. I am comforted by the knowledge that He hears my cries and has kept her alive thus far. In fact, last week she approached me about going to church again (she hasn’t gone since she was in middle school)!
Least influential?
How can I say that Reading Scripture or Communion are not as influential? Prayer is a direct link to the Father and that is a great gift. Being able to openly speak to the Creator of all is amazing and therefore, yes, most influential. However to say that the Scripture or Communion are not as vital is not any easy thing for me to say. Both have brought me closer to Jesus; both have caused my life to change; both are needful in this person’s life.
Two other ‘means of grace’ not listed? I would have to say Godly Counsel and Worshiping (singing, playing music, dancing before the Lord).
Godly Counsel: Jesus was able to break the chains of my heart when I was in my twenties through the wise and Godly Counsel of my best friend. My friend simply said one sentence about the situation I was in and left me alone. I thought about that sentence and went through a multitude of emotions and justifications…in the end I repented and was restored to Jesus.
Worshiping: There are times that God’s love, grace, mercy, admonitions, encouragements, joy , and peace come to me during times of private worship. Corporate worship in a church situation is fine and the Spirit of the Lord will and does move; but the worship of an individual to her heavenly Father becomes and intimate act. The cares of the world fall away and the ability to simply enjoy and soak up His presence is one of the best part of true worship. Praise brings joy and strength. During the terrible days of my baby’s NICU stay I would find myself singing, (Blessed Assurance)
“This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.”
During those dark and painful times I did not realize that I was praising and worshiping my Lord and gaining strength to face each moment. It wasn’t until we had finally made it through and our son came home that we realized just how Jesus had protected my heart and spirit by singing praises to Him even when it hurt so bad. I remember sitting in the NICU and spontaneous songs would be on my lips before I even realized I was singing; “There’s something about that name” “Blessed Assurance” “I am the God that healeth thee” and singing in tongues when the pain was so bad I could barely breathe.

Wesley, J. (1967). Wesley'S 52 standard sermons. Salem, OH: H.E. Schmul.
Crosby, F.J. (1873). Blessed Assurance []. Public domain
Gaither, G., Gaither, W.J. (1970) There’s something about that name.
Moen, D. (1986). I am the god that healeth thee [INTEGRITYS HOSANNA! MUSIC]