Day 1: Courage to Consecrate

Anthem Family! It’s Day 1 of our 7 Days of Prayer & Fasting. Thank you for joining your

church family for this special week.

This year, we are leaning into one word: Courage. Our prayer is that 2026 would be

marked by courageous followers of Christ. Throughout these seven days, we'll be

praying for strength for the journey ahead because we believe God has great things in

store for your life.

As we begin, I want to share a brief word about having the courage to prepare.

Read: Joshua 3:5

"Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing

things among you.'" — Joshua 3:5 (NIV)

The people of Israel stood on the edge of the Jordan River. Behind them was the

wilderness. In front of them was the Promised Land. They were on the verge of

stepping into everything God had promised. But before God gave them instructions

about crossing the river, He first gave them an instruction about their hearts:

Consecrate yourselves.

Notice the order. God didn't say, "Watch Me do amazing things, and then consecrate

yourselves." He said, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing

things among you."

The first act of courage wasn't stepping into the Jordan. It was surrendering their

hearts before they ever stepped into the river.

Our responsibility is consecration. God's responsibility is the miracle.

To consecrate means to set yourself apart for God. It means to surrender every part of

your life to His Lordship. It is choosing His voice over every other voice. It is giving the

Holy Spirit permission to shape, redirect, and even interrupt your plans. Consecration is

simply saying, "Jesus, every part of my life belongs to You."

As we begin these seven days of prayer and fasting, that's exactly what we're doing.

Fasting isn't about earning God's favor. It's about making room for God to do more in

us. We willingly lay something down because we believe what God wants to do in us is

greater than what we're giving up.

The truth is, every move of God begins with surrendered people.

Maybe God is asking you to surrender your schedule. Maybe it's an attitude you've

been holding onto. Maybe it's fear, unforgiveness, pride, or a habit that's kept your

heart divided. Whatever it is, don't wait until the breakthrough comes to give it to Him.

Consecrate yourself today.

I love what Mark Batterson wrote: "We are most alive when we are most dead to

ourselves." That's the invitation before us this week...to die to ourselves so Christ can

live more fully through us.

As you pray today, don't simply ask God to change your circumstances. Ask Him to

prepare your heart.

God has amazing things ahead, but He first & always prepares the people He plans to

use.

And that preparation begins with consecration.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Today I choose consecration, trusting You to do what

only You can do. Prepare my heart during these seven days. Help me surrender every

area of my life to You so I don't miss anything You desire to do in me or through me. I

believe You have amazing things ahead for me in my life! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Reflection

What is one area of your life that you've been hesitant to fully surrender to Jesus? What

would it look like to place that area in His hands today?

Courage to Consecrate | Written by Pastor Sam Hamstra