Praying with Surrender

Definition: transitive verb 1a: to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand b: to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another 2a: to give (oneself) up into the power of another especially as a prisoner b: to give (oneself) over to something (such as an influence)

intransitive verb : to give oneself up into the power of another : YIELD

Characters throughout the bible have surrendered to God. (Abraham gave Isaac, Job gave up almost everything, Jacob wrestled with God before he gave up)

However, greatest example of praying with surrender is given to us by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

1. READ Luke 22:39-44

Luke 22:39–44 CSB

39 He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

2. Ask group members to find phrases in the verses that show evidence of these statements:

• Jesus had a strong habit of praying.

• Jesus faced extremely difficult

situations.

• Jesus expressed His sincere desires

in prayer.

• Jesus knew strength and courage

came from God.

• Jesus knew God’s will was

ultimately best,

3. Ask, What were the results of Jesus’ surrender in prayer? Did He find strength? Did it help Him focus on God’s ultimate plan?

4. Ask participants to find a special word that indicated Jesus’ surrender in verse 42. When Jesus expressed this word, everything changed. The word is nevertheless (yet, not, however, and but, depending on translation).

Ask, What happens when we say “nevertheless” to God? Can praying with an attitude of surrender help us push through our difficult times with strength and courage?

What does this mean for us?

Be honest when you pray.

1. Read Luke 22:39–46. What verses show Jesus was honest with God about His personal desires and feelings?

3. Look at the Scripture again. In which verse did Jesus surrender to God’s will? Why do you think He surrendered?

6. What difficult situations are you experiencing now? Can you follow Jesus’ example as you pray, expressing your honest feelings to God, and surrendering to Him with the word nevertheless?

Know that surrender is a process that God will help you with.

Abraham surrendered to God, but the biggest surrender, his only son, only came after smaller surrenders. (Leaving his homeland. Send away Hagar and Ishmael. Only then does God call for Abraham’s complete surrender

Like Jacob, the more you fight the more it will hurt, but you will eventually surrender

At age 21, Jim Elliot, who was martyred in Ecuador seven years later, wrote, “One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is life-long can only be surrendered in a lifetime.” (Shadow of the Almighty [Zondervan], p. 91.)

The Christian life is a process of yielding all of myself that I know to all of God that I know. As my self-knowledge grows, I discover areas of my life that I thought were given over to the Lord; but they were not. At that point I must yield that new area to Him. And I will perceive new facets of God which require me to yield new areas of myself.

So God begins the process of pulling out from under us all the props we lean on, until He alone is left. It hurts. It may seem cruel of God. But a second fact eases the fear.

We surrender to God’s because He loves us.

Never knew meaning of “I’m doing this because I love you” or “This going to hurt me as much as it does you” until I became a father.

Notice that all of the people that we’ve discussed that have surrendered to God were blessed by Him. He requires our surrender so that we can enjoy His blessing.

Conclusion

To not surrender is to shake your fist in God’s face or, at the very least, politely decline help from the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving King of kings! Either way, you are left with your own inadequate knowledge and strength. It’s like receiving an invitation to the Lord’s banquet table and refusing to go, preferring instead to eat cheese and crackers in the corner.

Surrender isn’t always easy, though. For instance, it isn’t easy to keep praying for physical healing and at the same time be willing to accept the alternative if that is God’s plan.

It really comes down to a matter of faith. Do you believe God wants what is best for you, or not? Do you accept what Scripture says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” ?

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.