Moment of Meditation: Consecrated (1 Timothy 4:5)

Original Broadcast: October 2011

Because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer.
(1 Timothy 4:5)

Consecrated by the Word of God and Prayer

Why are we commanded to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving in the Lord's Prayer? Because it has been consecrated by God's Word and prayer. We say grace before meals that God may bless the food. We pray that God will cause it to nourish our bodies and strengthen us for the remainder of the day.

It's this consecration, this setting apart, that makes the difference in our lives. Just because it's been prayed over doesn't make it more holy than the same thing that hasn't been prayed over. It's just been set apart. We pray over a home-cooked meal. We pray over a cheeseburger from McDonald's®. Neither becomes greater because of the prayer. The prayer simply calls upon God's Word that says He will bless us as we accept what He gives with thanksgiving.

By invoking God's Word in our prayers over our food, we're simply asking God to use the food as He originally intended it. As we invoke His name in prayer for everything else in life, we're doing the same thing. We pray for our families that they may be the blessing that God created the family to be. We pray for our employment or lack thereof so that it might be the blessing that God wants it to be in our lives. Everything set apart in prayer is set apart that God's will for its proper use be done and the blessings He desires for them to be might be realized.

Consecrate your day today with God's Word and prayer that it may be a blessing to you and everyone you meet today. Amen.