Imagine kneeling in your bedroom at 2 a.m., tears streaming down your face. God has just asked you to do something that scares you to your core.
Maybe it’s forgiving someone who destroyed your life. Perhaps it’s stepping into a calling that requires leaving everything comfortable behind. Or it could be walking through a trial that feels impossible to bear.
Your heart pounds. Your mind races with a thousand reasons why this can’t be right. Yet deep inside, you know it’s God’s voice. You know what He’s asking. And you know you have a choice to make.
This moment – this crossroads between your will and God’s will – is where the prayer of consecration lives.
It’s not the prayer you pray when you want something from God. It’s the prayer you pray when God wants something from you. And honestly? It’s one of the most challenging yet transformative prayers you’ll ever utter.
Key Takeaways
- The prayer of consecration focuses on giving yourself to God. It’s not about asking for something in return.
- Jesus Christ modeled perfect consecration in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- This prayer is necessary during difficult decisions, trials, and times of spiritual renewal.
- True consecration costs something but leads to God’s glory in your life.
- You may need to pray this prayer repeatedly as you grow in faith.
- Consecration must be lived out through daily choices and actions.
- The Holy Spirit empowers you to keep your commitments to God.
What Is the Prayer of Consecration?
The prayer of consecration is different from other types of prayer. Many prayers focus on receiving something from God. This prayer is about giving yourself to God.
To consecrate means to dedicate something to a sacred purpose. When you pray a consecration prayer, you’re setting yourself apart for God’s use only. You’re essentially telling God, “I’m Yours, no matter what.”
Think about the temple in the Old Testament. Every bowl, every utensil, every piece of furniture was consecrated for God’s use only. You couldn’t take a golden pot from the temple to wash your laundry at home. It was set apart. Sacred. Dedicated.
That’s what happens when you consecrate your life to God. You become set apart for His purposes, His glory, and His kingdom.
But here’s what makes this prayer so powerful and so difficult: it’s not just about good times. Consecration means you choose to follow God, even if it costs you. Even when it hurts.
Jesus Christ: The Ultimate Example of Consecration
If you want to understand the prayer of consecration, look no further than Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Hours before His crucifixion, Jesus faced the ultimate test of consecration.
Matthew 26:39 (KJV) records His prayer:
“O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Notice what Jesus did here. He was completely honest about His feelings. He didn’t want to go through the agony of becoming sin for humanity. He didn’t want to face separation from the Father. The weight of every sin from every generation was about to crush down on His sinless soul.
Yet in the same breath, He demonstrated perfect devotion: “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
This is the heart of consecration. It’s saying “Yes, Lord” even when everything in you wants to say “No, thank you.”
Jesus prayed this prayer of consecration three times that night. This shows us something important: you don’t pray this prayer once and move on.
Sometimes you need to renew your consecration. Sometimes you need to pray the same commitment over and over until your heart aligns with God’s will.
The love of God compelled Jesus to follow through. He didn’t just speak words of consecration – He walked to the cross. He endured the mockery, the scourging, and the crucifixion.
The blood of Jesus was shed because He kept His consecration commitment.
When You Need to Pray the Prayer of Consecration
Life has a way of bringing us to crossroads where we must choose between our comfort and God’s calling. Here are key moments when the prayer of consecration becomes essential:
1. When God Asks You to Do Something Difficult
Sometimes God asks us to renounce our own plans and follow His instead. Maybe He’s calling you to reconcile with someone who hurt you. Perhaps He wants you to step into a ministry role you feel unqualified for. Or He might be asking you to trust Him through a season of financial difficulty.
These moments require us to consecrate our will to His. To dedicate our plans to His purposes.
2. During Times of Testing and Trial
Trials reveal the true condition of our hearts. When everything falls apart, will you still trust God’s goodness? When the diagnosis comes back negative, will you still believe in His holiness? When the job disappears, will you still seek first the kingdom of God?
The prayer of consecration anchors your soul during storms. It reminds you that your life belongs to God, and He can be trusted with it.
3. When You Need to Renew Your Commitment
Consecration isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing relationship. Just as you live out marriage vows every day, you should renew your dedication to God regularly.
Maybe you’ve drifted from your first love. Perhaps you’ve been living for yourself instead of for God’s glory. The prayer of consecration will bring you back to your true purpose.
Biblical Examples of True Consecration
The Bible shows us strong examples of people who dedicated their lives to God:
Jonathan’s Armor Bearer: Unwavering Loyalty
In 1 Samuel 14:7 (KJV), when Jonathan decided to attack an entire garrison with just the two of them, his armor bearer responded:
“Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.”
This young man wasn’t just agreeing to a military strategy. He was saying, “Whatever God has put in your heart, I’m with you completely. Even if it costs us our lives.”
That’s the Spiritof God working through consecrated hearts.
Ruth: Commitment That Changes Everything
Ruth’s words to Naomi in Ruth 1:16-17 (KJV) have become famous:
“16 Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
Ruth consecrated her entire future to God’s calling on her life. She left everything familiar behind. And God honored her commitment by placing her in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
From brokenness to blessing – that’s what consecration can accomplish.
The Cost and Reward of Consecration
Let’s be honest: the prayer of consecration will cost you something. In today’s culture of entitlement and self-focus, true consecration stands out like a beacon in a storm.
The Cost
Following God wholeheartedly means some people won’t understand your choices. It means saying no to opportunities that look good but aren’t God’s best. It means choosing holiness over popularity, integrity over convenience.
Satan will attack your consecration. He’ll whisper that you’re missing out, that God is holding you back, that you deserve better. He’ll use circumstances, people, and even your own thoughts to try to break your commitment.
The Reward
When you dedicate your life to God, He rewards your faithfulness. Like Ruth, who rose from humble beginnings to join the royal line, God lifts up those who commit to His plans.
Opportunities will open up that you never could have created. Relationships will develop that change your destiny. The glory of God will manifest through your life in ways that amaze even you.
You’ll feel truly satisfied knowing you’re living for something bigger than yourself. You’ll play an important part in the eternal kingdom of God. Your life will have meaning that transcends temporary circumstances.
How to Pray the Prayer of Consecration
Ready to pray your own prayer of consecration? Here’s how to approach it:
1. Be Completely Honest
Don’t try to sound spiritual. God already knows your heart. If you’re scared, tell Him. If you don’t understand why He’s asking something of you, admit it. Jesus was honest about not wanting to drink the cup of suffering.
2. Use the Name of Jesus
There’s power in Jesus’name. When you pray in Jesus’name, you’re aligning yourself with His will and His authority. You’re acknowledging that your consecration is only possible through His strength.
3. Make Specific Commitments
Vague prayers produce vague results. Be specific about what you’re consecrating to God. Is it your career? Your relationships? Your finances? Your time? Name it specifically.
4. Expect to Repeat It
Like Jesus, you may need to pray this prayer multiple times. That’s normal. Consecration is a process, not a one-time event. The Holy Spirit will help you grow deeper in your commitment over time.
Here’s a sample prayer to consecrate your life:
“Father, in Jesus’name, I come before You with an open heart. I acknowledge that my life belongs to You. I consecrate every part of who I am – my dreams, my fears, my relationships, my future – to Your will and Your glory. Even when I don’t understand, even when it’s difficult, I choose to trust You. Unitemy heart with Yours. Help me to follow You faithfully, knowing that Your plans for me are good. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.”
Living Out Your Consecration
The prayer of consecration doesn’t end when you say “Amen.” It begins there. Real consecration shows up in how you live:
1. Daily Surrender
Start each day by consecrating it to God. Ask Him to order your steps. Let Him show you what’s important and what isn’t. This prevents you from getting caught up in busy work that doesn’t serve His purposes.
2. Faithful in Small Things
God tests our consecration in small matters before He entrusts us with larger ones. Seize the opportunities He gives you today. They might seem tiny, but stay faithful to them.
3. Community and Intercession
Connect with others who share your heart for God. Pray for each other. Support each other’s consecration journey. The enemy wants to isolate you, but God designed you for community.
4. Regular Renewal
Set aside time regularly to renew your consecration. This might be during your daily prayer time, on spiritual retreats, or during significant life transitions.
Conclusion
The prayer of consecration isn’t easy, but it’s the pathway to a life that truly matters. When you consecrate yourself to God, you join the ranks of those who have discovered that His will isn’t a burden. It’s the secret to abundant life.
Are you ready to pray your own prayer of consecration? Your moment of decision awaits. And God is ready to do something beautiful with a life that’s truly consecrated to His glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What’s the difference between consecration and dedication?
A. Consecration and dedication are similar. However, consecration means setting something aside for sacred use only. When you dedicate your life to God, you’re making a commitment. When you consecrate it, you’re making it holy – set apart for His purposes alone.
Q. Do I need to be perfect to pray the prayer of consecration?
A. Absolutely not. The prayer of consecration is not about your perfection – it’s about your heart’s desire to follow God. He knows you’ll make mistakes. What matters is your genuine commitment to let Him shape you into His image.
Q. How do I know if God is asking me to consecrate something specific?
A. The Spiritof God typically speaks through His Word, through prayer, through wise counsel, and through circumstances. If you sense God prompting you toward something, test it against Scripture and seek godly advice. Peace and confirmation usually accompany true divine guidance.
Q. What if I break my consecration commitment?
A. God’s grace is bigger than your failures. The blood of Jesus covers all sin, including broken commitments. Repent, receive His forgiveness, and renew your consecration. Remember, this is about relationship, not perfection.
Q. Can I consecrate specific areas of my life, or does it have to be everything?
Q. You can consecrate specific areas, but ultimately, God wants all of you. You might start by consecrating your career or your relationships. But the goal is complete surrender to His will in every area of your life.
Q. How long does consecration last?
A. True consecration is a lifelong journey. You should renew and deepen your consecration regularly after making initial commitments. It’s not about a moment – it’s about a lifestyle of surrender to God’s will.
