Prayer of Surrender

Dear Father,

Here I am again, halting between two opinions.1 Please, let me wrestle through this one more time.2 I know we talked about this just last night; but, please, I need to reason this through with You again.3 Is Your way really the best?



I know my way has many flaws.4 But You have to agree with me that the vast majority end up taking their own way!5 I’ve carefully planned this way, based on a careful comparison of the facts and my opinions.6 I’ve calculated that this is the best possible thing for me, considering my gifts, abilities, and resources.7 And I’m sure that this will be the easiest way, since it is the way of least resistance in this world;8 though I know I could be doomed to failure.9 God, I know that it’s my unbelief that makes me want to choose my way.10 What if my way costs me my salvation?11

On the other hand, I know that Your way is perfect.12 But why, then, do so few find it?13 Maybe it’s because we have to study Your Word to find Your way.14 I know Your way is backed by Your power.15 But it’s hard to follow Your way when everybody else is doing their own thing!16 Then again, I have a feeling that it would actually be easier to follow Your way than my own.17 Not to mention the fact that it’s a whole lot more peaceful.18 You’ve promised peace to everyone who will believe in You,19 and You’ve guaranteed that Your way will end in salvation.20

Dear Lord, thank You for letting me talk this through with You again. I’ve made my decision: I submit my will to You and choose Your way, knowing that it is indeed the best plan.21

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

1. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21).

2. “And He said, Let Me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me” (Genesis 32:26).

3. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

4. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

5. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13).

6. “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits” (Proverbs 16:2).

7. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

8. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19).

9. “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I” (Romans 7:14, 15).

10. “For if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

11. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25).

12. “He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4).

13. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).

14. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

15. “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

16. “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:13).

17. “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

18. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

19. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

20. “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday” (Psalm 37:5, 6).

21. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).

Nathan Arthur wrote this prayer of surrender as a high school student at Ouachita Hills Academy. Today he is studying business at Ouachita Hills College.