The dedication of a church building to the worship of God is indeed a special occasion. It demands definite preparation and careful planning. The dedicatory sermon should review the past history of the church in the community and rehearse some of the experiences of the congregation in making possible the erection of the building to be dedicated. Also it would fittingly include a call to deeper consecration on the part of the worshipers and an invitation to all present to dedicate their hearts anew to the God to whom the building is to be consecrated on this particular occasion.
The part of the service whereby the church is actually set apart for divine worship is the dedicatory prayer. This is the dedication of the church. Such a prayer should be entirely different from prayers usually offered in regular worship. The one who is to give the prayer would do well to think through carefully what would be fitting to pray for on such an occasion. It might be well if he wrote down some points that should be included, and prepared the prayer as he would a sermon. It would be fitting for him to make a brief statement just before the prayer, and then lead the congregation in a solemn invocation. The following might serve as an example of what should be included in the opening remarks and prayer.
The Introductory Remarks
Seeing that it has pleased our heavenly Father to prosper this congregation in their undertaking to build and equip this beautiful house of worship, and to bring it to completion under the blessing of God, it is fitting and proper now reverently to invoke upon this sanctuary the abiding blessing of the Lord. It is, of course, made of but humble sand and clay and of wood from the forest, but just as our divine Saviour was tabernacled in the likeness of mortal men and through that union brought blessing and salvation to lost mankind, even so in this earthly structure the Holy Spirit will dwell and make these walls and halls all glorious with the light of His saving truth, and resplendent with the bright and fervent hope of a soon-coming Saviour.
How fitting, therefore, that we today reverently set this building apart with prayer to our heavenly Father, so that this church in truth may be a house of prayer, and hereafter be put solely to sacred and holy uses and be preserved from all other associations whatsoever. To this end let us pray.
The Dedicatory Prayer
O righteous and everlasting Father, Maker of heaven and earth, Thou who dwellest not in temples made with hands, we sincerely thank Thee today for the revelation of Thy love and mercy which Thou hast made through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We thank Thee today for revealing to us the light of truth from Thy sacred Word, and that so many in this city have been called out from the world to join Thy remnant church, which keeps the commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus Christ. We thank Thee, O Lord, that from of old Thy presence has been manifest in the sanctuary, and that Thou bast ever sought those to worship Thee who worship in spirit and in truth.
We thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast put it into the. hearts of these Thy servants to erect this building for public worship, that it may abide in this city as a silent witness to Thy saving truth in these last days, and that it may afford a means of teaching those here present, and many others, the glorious message which has called it into being.
O God, our Father, we know that by reason of our sins we are not worthy to ask Thee to come into our midst today, but in humble confession we pray that Thou wilt forgive our transgressions and that Thou wilt help each of us today first to dedicate himself anew to his Lord and Saviour. O Lord, take us today, cleanse our hearts from all sin, and come into our midst as a welcome and abiding guest, we pray.
And now, O God, Most High and Holy One, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, how much less this temple made with hands, we beseech Thee that Thou wilt even now accept this building as our humble gift to Thy service, and that Thou wilt consecrate this church to the honor of Thy name and to Thy service.
O God, our Father, we do now dedicate this building as a house of prayer, where through communion and thanksgiving Thy holy name may be honored and Thy people blessed. We dedicate it for the reading and hearing of Thy most Holy Word and for the proclamation of the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We dedicate it as a bright and shining light of the third angel's message in this city and as a witness of our faith in the glorious Advent of our Lord.
We dedicate it for the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord's house, for the sacred rite of baptism, and for the performance of all other offices of our Christian faith. We dedicate it for the saving of our children and youth in the Sabbath school and young people's services, and for missionary activities that will promote the gospel message both at home and in fields afar. We dedicate it as a Sabbath home for Thy children in this city.
Accept, O Lord most gracious, this building as a freewill offering at the hands of these Thy servants, and may every member of this church find here during the months to conic a happy spiritual home and a holy rest.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that when Thy people assemble themselves together in this house for Thy worship, that the Spirit of God may rest upon them, and that with clean hands and pure hearts they may worship before Thine altars.
Grant, O Lord, that when Thy ministers here proclaim the gospel of Thy grace, sinners may be converted unto Thee and Thy true servants edified and comforted. Grant that from this sanctuary there may go out constantly messengers of divine truth to carry the gospel of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour to this community.
Grant, O Lord, that when the emblems of Thy broken body and spilled blood are administered in this place that Thy saving love may make them effectual means of grace to Thy people.
Grant, O God, that when precious souls are buried with their Lord in baptism in this place, that they may rise to walk in newness of life and be kept faithful even unto the end.
We beseech Thee, O God, that Thou wilt make this church a gateway to heaven for our children and youth, and that here they all may be born again and enter into that experience that will lead them on to the kingdom.
Grant, O Lord, that as from Sabbath to Sabbath we assemble here to worship our blessed Saviour, we may come in reverence and godly fear, and that the Holy Spirit may never be grieved from this place, but always abide here as a welcome guest.
And now we also pray that Thou wilt bless Thy waiting people in all lands today, and may they with us and our children be quickly prepared for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And finally we beseech Thee to bring us, and all who in coming days worship in this house, together with Thy redeemed from all ages, to that city of God, where there will be no temple, but the Lamb will be the light thereof. And now unto the King Eternal, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
