Day 1: Consecrate Yourselves
40 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Prayer Focus: Personal Consecration
“Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.’”
Joshua 3:5 ESV
Today we begin our 40-day journey of prayer and fasting.
There are many things we will pray about over these next 40 days. We will pray for Harvest Revival Center. We will pray for the new territory God is leading us into. We will pray for Englewood and the people God is calling us to reach. We will pray for salvations, healing, miracles, families, our children and youth, and the future of our church.
But on Day 1, I believe we need to begin somewhere much more personal.
We begin with ourselves.
In Joshua 3, the Israelites stood on the edge of the Jordan River. On the other side was the land God had promised them. They were preparing to go somewhere they had never been before.
But before Joshua told the people to cross, he told them:
“Consecrate yourselves.”
Before the crossing came consecration.
Before the new territory came surrender.
Before the wonders came a people preparing themselves for the presence of God.
That is where I want us to begin these 40 days.
Lord, Begin With Me
It is easy to enter a season of prayer asking God to change everything around us.
“Lord, change this situation.”
“Lord, open this door.”
“Lord, provide this need.”
“Lord, move in our church.”
And we should bring those things before Him. But there is another prayer that must come first:
“Lord, what do You want to do in me?”
Psalm 139:23–24 says:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
For Day 1, let's give the Holy Spirit permission to search our hearts.
Is there anything we need to surrender?
Is there sin we need to repent of?
Is there unforgiveness we have been holding onto?
Is there an area where we know God has spoken but we have resisted Him?
Have other things taken the place in our lives that belongs to the Lord?
Consecration is not about earning God's favor. It is about setting ourselves apart for Him and surrendering ourselves completely to His purposes.
Preparing for New Territory
This is especially important for Harvest in this season.
We believe the Lord is leading us into new territory. There are decisions ahead of us, opportunities before us, people to reach, and things we cannot yet fully see.
But our greatest need isn't a perfect plan.
Our greatest need is the presence of God.
We don't want to move because something seems like a good idea. We want to hear His voice and follow His presence.
And so before we spend these 40 days asking, “Lord, where are You taking us?”, let's first ask:
“Lord, is there anything in me that would keep me from following You?”
If He says go, we want to be ready to go.
If He says wait, we want to be willing to wait.
If He asks us to surrender something, we want to surrender it.
Wherever His presence leads us, we want to follow.
Today's Prayer Focus
Today, take some time before the Lord and make your prayer personal.
Pray:
Search me.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your heart that needs His attention.
Cleanse me.
Confess sin and receive the forgiveness and cleansing Christ has provided.
Surrender me.
Give the Lord your plans, preferences, fears, expectations, and future.
Prepare me.
Ask God to make you ready for whatever He wants to do during these 40 days.
Lead me.
Commit yourself again to following His presence wherever He leads.
Our prayer today isn't primarily, “Lord, change everything around me.”
It is:
“Lord, begin Your work in me.”
Pray With Us
Father, as we begin these 40 days, we consecrate ourselves to You. Search our hearts and reveal anything that does not please You. Forgive us, cleanse us, and remove anything that would hinder us from hearing Your voice or following Your presence. We surrender our plans, our desires, our church, and our future to You. Prepare us for what You are preparing for us. Give us ears to hear and hearts that are quick to obey. Wherever You lead, we want to follow. Consecrate us for Your purposes, and let everything You desire to accomplish in us and through us be done. In Jesus' name, amen.
Today's Scripture
Joshua 3:5
Additional Scriptures
Psalm 139:23–24
Romans 12:1–2
James 4:8
Psalm 51:10
Today's Challenge
Set aside a few quiet minutes today with no distractions. Ask the Lord one question:
“Lord, what do You want me to surrender during these 40 days?”
Then don't rush to the next thing. Give Him time to speak.
