Surrender involves sacrifice. If we’re not sacrificing our lives, then we’re not fully surrendering to God. Jesus often identified the particular area where surrender was needed in a person’s life. To the woman caught in adultery He said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’ (John 8:11 NKJV). Jesus didn’t condemn her; instead He forgave her and encouraged her to surrender her old life, which was controlled by her desires. He doesn’t condemn us either, He encourages us to hand everything over to Him. Surrender can often involve money, because money is all about trust and control. To a rich businessman who wanted to follow Him, Jesus said, ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven’ (Mark 10:21 NIV). But the man was unwilling to do it. How willing are we to surrender everything we have to Him? Often surrender will involve telling someone else about a grudge, attitude, habit, or sin we might have. When we’re with a trusted friend, God may prompt us to talk about something that we have struggled with, or even failed. That can make us feel uncomfortable. Will we surrender, when surrender means doing something uncomfortable? If it were comfortable, it wouldn’t be surrender. The greatest example of surrender was Jesus in Gethsemane, praying, ‘Not my will, but yours be done’ (Luke 22:42 NIV). It was the hardest prayer He ever prayed, and the one that launched Him into His destiny. The prayer that brings God’s power is often the prayer of surrender.

What Now?

Ask God which area of your life you need to surrender to Him. Then pray that His will would be done in that area.