Living lives that are well pleasing to God means that we have to consecrate our lives to the Lord. What are the steps of consecrating your life to God? What if you fail in some of these steps? Are there any special rewards for consecrating yourself to God?

Dedicate your heart to God

To consecrate yourself to God is to answer His call to spiritual consecration. (Lev.11:44). It means that you have a deep inner longing to live holy and want to be changed into the image of Jesus. (2 Cor.3:18). To dedicate your heart to God is to make a conscious, willing decision to surrender your soul, mind, heart, and body to God. This decision must be one of free will, mindful of the cost thereof, and flowing from a deep affection for God. No one will be able to keep such a resolution from striving alone. Such a person will certainly give up, once it becomes hard or difficult along the way. You alone can make the decision to consecrate yourself to God. No one can force you into it.

Reflect on your motives

Since consecration is a personal choice, it is important to reflect on and search out the true motive of your heart. Is this desire truly from within, or is it possible that you are giving in to outward pressures? Do you want to do this because others are doing it? Or because it is expected from you? Or because you want to show God how much you love Him? God knows your heart. View your commitment to Christ as a priority, not a secondary option or passive experience.

Repent

Once you have reflected on your motives for consecrating yourself to the Lord, it is time to pray through each one of those things the Holy Spirit reveals to you. Give thanks for the grace to consecrate yourself, for the privilege to lay down your life to follow Christ. Spend time in repentance for everything that may hinder you in your consecration to God. Acknowledge every little thing, leave no stone unturned. The freedom repentance brings to a sincere soul is beyond description. It sets you free from the power of the enemy.

Separate yourself from the evils of the world

Consecrating yourself means giving priority to spiritual things over physical things. It will require intentionally avoiding things that may hinder you from connecting with God or take away from your time with Him. That does not mean we only have to separate ourselves from what is evil. There are plenty of things in the physical world that are good. On a basic level, e.g. food and water are good, because it provides the human body with the nourishment it needs to survive. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a meal. But, when food becomes a problem, it is wise to separate yourself from that which separates you from God. In a fallen world, even good things can be appropriated and used for ill purposes.

Draw closer to God

When consecrating our lives to God, it is not enough to merely reject the wicked things and ways of the world. Transformation of the human spirit and soul comes from drinking from the 'source of life'. But how do we do that? Just like watching the wrong movies, going to night clubs, drinking, smoking and fellowship with the wrong friends can be called 'drinking from the world', we need to drink from God who is our source of spiritual life. The more time and dedication you give to the things of the spirit, the more the spirit within you will thirst after walking in the ways of God.

How do I do this practically? Prayer is certainly the most important discipline. Studying the Bible, praying in the spirit and waiting on God are some other valuable disciplines to put into place. All of these require time.

Stay committed!

Consecration is not a single, once-off decision. It becomes a way of living. Once you decide to consecrate yourself, you must be prepared to continue pursuing God for the rest of your life. In a way, our consecration will never be "complete." We never "arrive" or achieve perfect righteousness, perfection or holiness. He asks us to make the commitment of consecration and then to actively pursue it for the rest of our lives. We will certainly stumble as we walk the path, even fall. Proverbs 24:16 has an encouraging promise: For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.

Suggested Prayer Points

These are just suggestions. As you spend time with God and inquire of Him how to address your prayers this month, feel free to direct your points as the Holy Spirit leads, and to use scriptures of your choosing.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers identify with Christ by loving Him enough to truly live for Him.

Scriptures: Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Prayer Point: Pray that we present our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord.

Scriptures: Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Prayer Point:  Prayer that we remember that God is our architect.

Scriptures: Psalm 100:3 - "Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”

Eph. 2:10 - “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God before prepared that we should walk in them”

Ephesians 1:4 - Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

Prayer Point: Pray that we not give the adversary an opportunity to enter our hearts, our homes or our families.

Scriptures: Mark 3:27 - No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers do the will of God, understanding God’s will is His word.

Scriptures: Hebrews 10:7 - Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers shine as lights in a dark world.

Scriptures: Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Daniel 1:8 - But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

Romans 12:2 - “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 

Prayer Point: We pray that we be ever mindful to allow our concentration to God be reflected in both our outward appearance and inward attitude.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Ephesians 4:24  …and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Prayer Point:  Pray that as believers, we WILL lead a life of consecration.

Scriptures: Romans 6:13-14 - And do not present your members as ^[a]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Declaration:God, I set myself apart for you today. May all I say and do be reflective of you!

Prayer Point: Holy Spirit, remind us that we are set apart, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal to the unrighteous through us.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthian 5:20-21 - We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin^[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Prayer Point: Father help us to be holy as you and your Son are holy. Father help us to hide your word in our heart so that we may not sin against you. 

Scriptures: Isaiah 1:16-20 - Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Romans 12:1-2 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers be obedient to Holy Spirit’s leading. 

Scriptures: Romans 8:3-4 - The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25-26- Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Prayer Point: Pray that our desire would be to be different from the world and that we fully surrender to the Lord.

Scriptures: Jeremiah 10:23 - LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.

James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers have the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God.

Scriptures: Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 6:22 - But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

Isaiah 40:29-31 - He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted;But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

James 1:5 - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Prayer Point: Father show us daily how to live lives well pleasing to you.  

Scriptures: Psalm 25:4-5 - Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers live according to the Spirit of God and not the flesh.

Scriptures: Romans 8:5-6 - Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers surrender to God and follow Him wholeheartedly.

Scriptures: Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Job 11:13 - 15 -  Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins—even those you do in secret. Then you won't be ashamed, you will be confident and fearless.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers put on the whole armor of God daily.

Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-17 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Prayer Point: Pray that believers strive to live a holy life before a holy God.

Scriptures: Psalm 24:3-5 - Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob

Psalm 51:10-12 - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit".

Ezekiel 36:25-27 - I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

The intent is for all to fast all day on Monday until after the prayer. If you have a medical condition, please consult a doctor before undertaking the fast.  

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