19 SANCTIFY IT BY PRAYER.

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

     —1 Timothy 4:5

Sanctify. Make holy. Separate. Consecrate. Dedicate. Set apart to be used exclusively by God.

It. What’s “it?” It is anything and everything. It is anyone and everyone.

It is anything you are about to do or say. Before you do it, make certain in prayer that the Father has told you to do it. Before you say it, be sure by prayer that the Father has told you to say it.

It is everything you thing, feel or will. It is everything you plan, wish for or dream about. Some people refuse to go outside before checking out the weather on the TV or radio. Some people refuse to invest any of their money until they have checked with their broker. Some athletes and authors will not sign a deal until they have talked with their agent or attorney.

What about you? Who sets things apart in your life? Who gives approval before you take the next step? True surrender means that everything in life is sanctified by prayer. No trip, no purchase, no decision, no word or action is taken without first sanctifying it by prayer. E.M. Bounds asserted that nothing happens without prayer.

By prayer, the believer hears from God first and then communicates with others.

By prayer, the believer sanctifies or dedicates everything to God’s use. A.W. Tozer counseled us to “own nothing.” If everything including possessions has been consecrated to God by prayer, then we have surrendered all rights and become stewards instead of owners. A steward knows that everything in his hand including his own life belongs to another.

Once “it” is sanctified by prayer, you can no longer pick it up, claim it, use it, or neglect it according to your own volition. It belongs to God.

Lord Jesus,

I dedicate everything by prayer to You. All that I am and do is dedicated to You. Be glorified in my life. Show me the glory of sanctifying all to You. Amen.