A Prayer of Relinquishment

By Chris Baxter

Not too long ago in my morning quiet time, I came across a prayer written by Richard Foster, entitled "A Prayer of Relinquishment".

I wrote it down in my journal because, for me, it's a "keeper." The content of the prayer is simple yet profound, and can be prayed daily with new meaning behind each phrase.

Here is the prayer:

Today, O Lord, I yield myself to you.

May your will be my delight today.

May your way have perfect sway in me.

May your love be the pattern of my living.

I surrender to you my hopes, my dreams, my ambitions. Do with them what you will, when you will, as you will.

I place into your loving care my family, my friends, my future. Care for them with a care that I can never give.

I release into your hands

my need to control,

my craving for status,

my fear of obscurity.

Eradicate the evil, pacify the good, and establish your kingdom on earth.

For Jesus' sake. Amen.

Which line grabbed your attention?

When I first read it, I identified with these words, "I release into your hands...my fear of obscurity." Today, as I am typing, this particular line strikes a chord in my heart, "I place into your loving care my family, my friends, my future." Next time I pray this prayer, God will most likely highlight something else that needs tending to in my life. He's always working in me, pulling things to the surface so that I can bring my "stuff" (my worries, fears, doubts, wayward thoughts and actions, etc) to him. And how gracious and patient God is to help me open my hands back up, releasing it all, in full trust once again.

I encourage you to spend some time with the Lord today. Make a date and choose a quiet place to have a Heart-to-heart with him. Personalize this prayer. He will be delighted to listen to you, and as equally delighted to respond.

Unclinch your fists and relinquish whatever you're holding into the hands of your all knowing, all loving, almighty God.

Subscribe & Receive Email updates:

+
You are now subscribed to receive daily prayers!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
You May Also Like...
Life
All Writings
Poems

I'm Holding You Both

All Writings
The Making of Christmas Morning

The Making of Christmas Morning: backstory and the white line

Daily Prayer

Someone is praying for you...

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. - 1 John 2:1

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for interceding before the Father on our behalf. You know our hearts and our needs better than we do. Your pleas are perfect and your judgements are precise. We trust you fully and are humbled by your love. In your Name, Amen.