The Means of Grace
Wesley insisted that grace is not magic — it comes through ordinary channels God has appointed. He called these channels "means of grace" and divided them into two kinds: instituted (those Christ commanded — prayer, Scripture, the Lord's Supper, fasting, Christian conference) and prudential (works of mercy, small groups, accountability). Faithful Methodists are not passive recipients of grace; they actively place themselves in the path of it.
What Scripture says
All quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
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Acts 2:42
They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
Four means of grace in the early church: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer. The DNA of Methodism.
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Matthew 6:9-13
Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.'
The Lord's Prayer. Wesley urged Methodists to pray it daily, slowly, considering each line.
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Prayer is not an occasional act — it is a continual posture.
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Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
Meditation on Scripture. Wesley read his Greek New Testament daily.
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Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Scripture hidden in the heart — a means of preservation from sin.
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1 Corinthians 11:23-26
For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread... For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
The Lord's Supper as a means of grace. Wesley urged "constant communion" — receiving as often as possible.
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Matthew 6:16-18
Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting... when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret...
Jesus said "WHEN you fast" — not "if." Wesley fasted twice a week.
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Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
Christian conference — what Wesley called "Christian fellowship." Provoking one another to love.
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James 5:16
Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
Mutual confession and prayer — the heart of Wesley's class meeting and band meeting structure.
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Matthew 25:35-40
for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me... Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
Works of mercy as a means of grace. We meet Christ in the poor, hungry, sick, imprisoned.
A prayer
Father, You have given us so many channels of grace. Forgive me when I neglect them. Make me a disciple who prays, who reads Your Word, who receives Your Supper, who fasts when called, who builds my life with other believers, and who serves Your poor. Pour Your grace through these channels into my life. Amen.