A Prayer for Surrendering Control to God's Will - Your Daily Prayer - January 16

A Prayer for Surrendering Control to God's Will
by Christine F. Perry

Bible Reading: "But He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10 NKJV 

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Elisabeth Elliot was a woman who became known throughout the world after her husband, Jim Elliot, and four other missionaries were martyred by people from the Auca/Waodani tribe in 1956. After writing a book called Through Gates of Splendor, she solidified herself as an author and a woman of great faith.

Elisabeth didn't just write about her faith; she lived what she wrote. A few years after losing her husband, she and her young daughter lived with the Waodani tribe for seven years. Can you imagine living with the people who murdered your husband?

She was by no means perfect. She struggled with God's mysterious ways. She wrote, "Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them." Elisabeth's goal was to live her life surrendered to the Lord's leading no matter how deep and dark the valley.

Loss marked a lot of Elisabeth's life. She eventually remarried but lost her second husband to cancer only four years after they married. Yet, continually, she sought the Lord, wrote, spoke, and shared His faithfulness and leading in her life through books, podcasts, and speaking engagements.

Although she passed away in 2015, her books and podcasts still impact thousands of lives today. When you continually surrender to the Lord's leading, there is no limit to what he can do. It will be hard. There will be seasons that test you beyond your breaking point, but a life lived for the Lord is never wasted!

"Open hands should characterize the soul's attitude toward God – open to receive what he wants to give, open to give back what he wants to take. Acceptance of the will of God means relinquishment of our own. If our hands are full of our own plans, there isn't room to receive His. — Elisabeth Elliot

There may not be a "happy ending" in this life, but thank God He uses this life to prepare us for the next, where there is no pain, suffering, or tears! Let’s pray together to surrender our will for our lives to God, and to remember that no matter the outcome of our days, we know at the end of all things, we will share perfect eternity with Jesus.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the life of Elisabeth Elliot. Thank you for the lessons and writings she penned so we can grow closer to you through them. Lord, I ask that you would help us to live surrendered to you. Lord, you gave everything for us so we can rest in the fact that when hard things happen in our life, you still have our best in mind and you promise to work all things together for good. The good may not be seen for years to come, but that is what you promise, and we are holding you to that.

Lord, as you know, our hearts are wicked, and we are prone to wander away from you. I pray that you will keep us close. Give us the strength to surrender to you and to trust you each day. Lord, life can be scary, and it can be hard to trust you because we can't see you, but Lord, we know you are good, kind, and faithful, and for us. Help us to love you and surrender fully to your control. Lord, we know that everything in our life is for your glory and our good. Help us to be still and know you are God and that you are good. I pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Photo Credit: ©Pixabay/StockSnap

Christine is just a lady who was given the gift of being raised in an incredible family. For reasons unknown to her, God has blessed her with an amazing life full of beautiful friendships, remarkable experiences, and a love from Him that is completely underserved. She desires to encourage others and share hope as we journey through the highs and lows of life. Christine is the author of How I Met Peace and For the Weary Life Traveler, a 31-day devotional. Check out more of Christine's work at her website:  Learning to be fearless and her Patreon.

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