Prevail in Prayer of Consecration

 Hey Friend,

Ever thought about what it really means to consecrate yourself? It's all about setting aside your own wants and wishes to fully embrace what God has in store for you. It's a big deal, and no one showed us this better than Jesus did.

So, there's this moment on the cross that really hits home. Jesus cries out, "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?" which translates to "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). This wasn't just any cry; it was a moment of profound anguish. Up until this point, Jesus always referred to God as "Father." But here, he calls Him "God." It's a shift that speaks volumes.

Here's the thing: Jesus was really going through it. He was carrying the weight of the world's sins on his shoulders, feeling a separation from God for the very first time. Imagine that—feeling cut off from your closest connection.

In that moment, God didn't see Jesus as His son but as sin itself. Can you even begin to fathom the depth of Jesus' despair?

But check this out—even in the depths of feeling utterly forsaken, Jesus didn't turn his back on prayer. And here's a word for you: Don’t be shaken by the forsaken! It's a feeling, sure, but it's not the full story.

Crisis has a way of making us feel forsaken. It's a natural reaction. But don't let that feeling stop you from reaching out to God. Prayer was what kept Jesus grounded, stopping him from giving in to the urge to save himself at the cost of his mission.

He stayed true to God's plan, even when every fiber of his being was probably screaming otherwise. Remember, our feelings can be fickle, but God's purpose for us is final.

When you're faced with trials, resist the temptation to let feelings of separation take over.

Choose consecration.

And for more on this, don't miss our deep dive into Jesus' third prayer during his crucifixion in our next blog post, "Prevail in Prayer 3."

Stay blessed and committed,

Dr. Gwendolyn