Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction

A prayer of surrender

June 25, 2011 by  
Filed under God's Will, Prayers

Loving Father,

I surrender to you today with all my heart and soul. Please come into my heart in a deeper way. I say, “Yes” to you today. I open all the secret places of my heart to you and say, “Come on in.” Jesus, you are the Lord of my whole life. I believe in you and receive you as my Lord and Savior. I hold nothing back.

Holy Spirit, bring me to a deeper conversion to the person of Jesus Christ. I surrender all to you: my time, my treasures, my talents, my health, my family, my resources, my work, relationships, time management, successes and failures. I release it and let it go.

I surrender my understanding of how things ‘ought’ to be, my choices and my will. I surrender to you the promises I have kept and the promises I have failed to keep. I surrender my weaknesses and strengths to you. I surrender my emotions, my fears, my insecurities, my sexuality. I especially surrender ______ (Here mention other areas of surrender as the Holy Spirit reveals them to you.)

Lord, I surrender my whole life to you, the past, the present, and the future. In sickness and in health, in life and in death, I belong to you. (Remain the Lord in a spirit of silence through your thoughts, a heart song, or simply staying in His presence and listening for His voice.)

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  • faithful123

    This is most difficult to understand for me. Let it go to God; I’m told with regards finding new employment and with regards the previous employment.

    I don’t think I know what this really means. The words are not new. I’ve heard it, sometimes I think I am living such…but maybe not. I’m confused; the ‘heart’
    understanding is not there (that peace that comes with true understanding)

    EVERYTHING of me… give to God?  I’m confused.

    • Anonymous

      You are not alone in your struggle. The best advice I can give is for you to purchase, read, and meditate on a book called “Abandonment to Divine Providence” by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. This is a very challenging topic for many and a great deal of prayer and meditation is required to understand it even in the most basic ways.

    • Mary@42

      My Dear faithful123.  This Prayer is covered by the simple Signature on the Image of the Divine Mercy: “Jesus I Trust in You”. Along with the Book Dan has recommended to you, you can purchase and read the Diary of St. Faustina, Christ’s Secretary and Eucharistic Apostle of the Divine Mercy : “Divine Mercy in My Soul”. Or better, still get her Biography.  You will learn all about the Eucharistic Apostolate of the Divine Mercy whose Message is  Total Surrender to God and solely depending on His Divine Mercy.

    • Christophermoran2000

      All prayers of surrender can be summed up in five words: “Jesus I Trust in You.” Try not to get caught up on words… as St. Frances of Assisi would say: “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” A life well lived speaks louder than any sermon.
      For what it’s worth: Earlier this year I went to visit a friend in a nursing home. When I went to leave… walking by his room mate (who I didn’t know) and who was half asleep in his bed, called me by name and said “Jesus loves you… He never stopped.”
      Jesus gave His ALL, the supreme example of absolute perfect loving surrender.
      When you trust someone, you surrender your fears, anticipations, anxieties, you are at peace with that person. They are an ally and sanctuary in this valley of tears. You do for each other without counting the good deeds. You enjoy being with them, and trust them with all your private matters and worries. This is what a friend is, this is what Jesus is, and so much more. You can’t go wrong, His Love is perfect, you can have no better friend in this life or the next for that matter.
      If I really had to condense all my beliefs in one statement, I would say this to you: What God wants is love in return, that simple.
      “Be still…” Shalom
      Jesus I Trust in You!

      • faithful123

        Thank you Christopher, you really clarified the Trust thing when you gave the analogy of a friend relationship. There’s my struggle…in a work setting, relationships are not ‘friendships’ (sad) In business it is every person for themselves and ‘getting’ their due. No training per se, no help,
        know how or you get pushed out. I agree; a life that is ‘well lived’ and in
        good order speaks of the one we obey and leads us. I place my trust in authority of some businesses these last few years; and they betrayed that trust. Meanwhile, outside of the business setting; good friends always there who listen and support and lead me to choose right ways. Parental
        guides also. (even at middle age) 

        If trust and giving all the concerns of the heart is sometimes blocked; it is because ‘there are two different worlds’ at work and this is why trust is
        hard. But it is in Jesus I am to trust; and that means being open and
        honest TO the world… while also knowing what the world is.

        Shrewd as serpant simple as dove.

    • Anonymous

      We don’t understand because we are spiritually blind.

      St. Teresa advises us to read prayers like this anyway…….even if we don’t understand them or aren’t sure we need what we are asking for through the prayer.

      God knows our needs.  He created us.  Trust, as so many others have said, is imperative.  When we are willing to take another’s word, (especially saints) and trust the voice of Christ in them in regard to things like this, we profit much.  If we don’t, we don’t…….and we remain blind.

      Control is an illusion. 

      “EVERYTHING of me… give to God?”  Yes.  I would challenge you to read this prayer every day for the next month.  If you do so sincerely, with the hope of gaining more understanding of what it means, you will be delightfully amazed at what God will do in your soul!

      Wishing you peace and light on the journey!

    • linda brav

      I think to surrender all to God does not mean we give up.  I think it means we accept the will of God in our life as we continue to do our best.  We let go of our fears, our worries, our hurts and our sufferings. Let go and let God.

      • faithful123

        Can you put that in practical terms Linda? I assume you mean, in God’s sovereign or ‘indicative’ will – He wants me to be happy and live well to glorify Him to others. So; whether I have degree or no degree; if I do my best in whatever occupational goal; He will ensure I succeed at such. Have no fear. Yes?  God’s not looking for me to make great income,
        or save the earth, or join lots of committees … just do good as it comes
        along; and that’s that. If not called to college, don’t worry over it. Bloom
        where planted and if not accepted…move on. Don’t worry about the myriad of human opinions… correct?

      • Stephen

        It doesn’t mean we give up–it means we give in.To let our own will be subservient to the will of God.

    • Stephenleebennett

      Here’s a little poem/prayer that I copied from a book called “In Love with the Divine Outcast”-by an unnamed nun:
      “Thy way,not mine,O Lord,however dark it be,lead me by Thine own Hand;choose out the path for me.Smooth let it be or rough;it still will be the best;winding or straightit leads right onward to Thy rest.I dare not choose my lot;I would not if I might;choose Thou for me,my God,so shall I walk aright.Take Thou my cupand it with joy or sorrow fill;as best to Thee may seemchoose Thou my good and ill.Choose Thou for me my friends,my sickness or my health;choose Thou my cares for me,my poverty,my wealth.Not mine,not mine the choice;in things or great or smallbe Thou my Guide,my Strength,my Wisdom,my All.”And to add something of St.Francis de Sales:”Abandonment to God is the virtue of virtues;it is the cream of charity,the fragrance of humility,the sweetness of patience,and the fruit of perseverance.”Simply put;Father knows best–”Not my will,but Thine be done.”

  • Mary@42

    This Prayer is the Main Prayer solemnly said by the Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy during our 3rd Saturday of the Month Prayer and Healing Holy Mass. It is prayed during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament when the Priest/Celebrant takes -  in the Monstrance  -Jesus among the Faithful.  We end the Healing Prayer Day with Benediction. 

    It is also the Main Prayer during similar Monthly Healing Holy Mass celebrated by the Vincentians at their Prayer House. And just like the Eucharistic Apostoles of the Divine Mercy Healing Prayer Day, it is prayed during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament when the Priest/Celebrant takes Jesus – in the Monstrance – among the hundreds of the Faithful who faithfully attend these Healing Prayer Days and Retreats. Very many Christians have adopted this, and other Intercessory Prayers contained in the Vincentians’ Hymn Book of Praise and Worship and  benefited Spiritually by strengthening their Catholic Faith.

  • Jesusbpraised

    Another wonderful book is “into Your Hands, Father” by Fr. Wilfrid Stinisson. Published by Ignatius Press. Father references de Caussade many times as well as some of the Carmelite saints.

  • Mobrien7

    Hello,

    Thank you for putting this in so many words – offering all to Christ.

    Mike

  • Christophermoran2000

    I am a strong believer in the power of prayer, I believe your prayer will be answered. Never forget: there is nothing greater than God’s Love, no greater Love than Jesus.

    Let me leave you with something from Mother Teresa of Calcutta, I believe it expresses the spirit in which she lived out her life:

    “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
    If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
    If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
    If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
    What you spend years creating, others could destroy. Create anyway.
    If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
    The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
    Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
    In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

  • Ana

    I know in
    my mind  I could not ever go wrong  if I surrendered  all to God our Father, is the “doing it” that
     gets  so hard. I never knew of this prayer but  I think  it is most meanigful. Thank you
     

  • smruti

    thank you so much for this wonderful prayer. I wish the Lord comes into me and lives in me and drives my life according to his will. I feel so light and unloaded and fearless and guiltfree. Such a beautiful prayer!

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