Day 2: Prayer Begins with Surrender

“Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning.

Give attention to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God, for to you do I pray.” Psalm 5:1-2

I love the honesty of this prayer. David is crying out to God in a moment of helplessness. He feels he has no where else to turn. He has reached a point that he is completely dependent upon God.

I have been in David’s shoes way too often where I reach the end of the road and then wonder how I got there. I relentlessly pursue my own desires and try to figure out life the way I think is best. God has been teaching me a lot about the correlation between surrendering and freedom. Now this might seem contradictory at first. How does someone find freedom when they surrender? Isn’t it the exact opposite? When a criminal is apprehended, they are often instructed to put their hands up in the air and walk backwards towards the law enforcement officer that is about to handcuff them. Surrendering means taking away freedom in this situation.

However, the Biblical standard of surrender is connected to freedom because of who we surrender ourselves to. Jesus isn’t the police officer with a taser and a pair off handcuffs waiting to lock you up. He is a loving and forgiving God who is waiting for you to stop trying to handle things on your own and trust and surrender your life to Him. Surrendering to Jesus is the first step to freedom.

Surrendering is a choice. We all have a choice about how much we’re going to trust, and the more we do it, the easier it can become—even when it’s something hard. So how do you surrender? It starts with the will. We can pray like Jesus in the garden: “Father, if it is possible, let (insert your request here); nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Next, allow your heart to completely and fully trust your Heavenly Father, who is all knowing, loving and always has your best interest at heart. In His presence, we can lay down (surrender) our fears, our fleshly and egotistical desires and begin to embrace His perfect will for us.

• Our need to seek revenge – Romans 12:19-20
• Our need to always be comfortable – Luke 9:57-58
• The right to spend money however we please – Matthew 6:19-21
• The right to hate an enemy – Matthew 5:43-48
• Our need to be honored and served – Mark 10:42-47
• Our need to understand God‘s plan before we obey – Hebrews 11:8
• The right to hold a grudge – Colossians 3:13
• Our need to “fit into” society – Romans 12:2, Gal 1:10
• Our need to do whatever feels good – Gal 5:16-17, 1 Peter 4:2
• Our need to always complain – Philippians 2:14, 1 Thes 5:18
• Our need to put self first – Philippians 2:3-4

I want to leave you with this verse. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)”

What is the Lord calling you to surrender to Him? In what area of your life do you need to stop running and wave that white flag in surrender to Jesus?

Prayer: “Lord I surrender to you. I may not want to and it hurts to do so, but I give you all of me. The unknown is beyond me. What I have suffered to get to this place plagues at times. I need you. Help me. Use me for your glory. I know the tears I have cried will be transformed into tears of joy living in your Will.

I am yours. I declare this day and every day that I have victory in you. Lead and restore me. Thank you in advance. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Resources:

Download Prayer Guide

If you missed the message on Sunday, Pastor Ashish spoke about the importance of praying first. I strongly suggest that you go listen to it as we begin this 21 day fasting and prayer. Let us resolve to always PRAY FIRST in everything we do. Listen to the message HERE

Here is a Worship Playlist you can listen to – 21-Day Fasting Playlist