Submission to God is not something we achieve and then move to another goal, it’s a way of life. In the process, a relationship is built on a foundation of trust, love and transformation. Prayer is the key tool.
David is a great example of submitting to God in prayer and his life.
Psalm 40:1-3,17 NIV “I waited patiently for Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.”
Ever felt this way? Feel like everything around you is sludge? Nothing is working, you are at a loss of what to do. David is there, because of His previous experience with the Lord, he goes straight to the source. He tells him how he feels and humbly asks God to help him as no one else can.
We can do the same, God will help us just like David. Be sure and ask!
Here are points to remember when praying in submission to God:
- Talk to God Honestly
- Use Prayers of Surrender from the Bible
- Focus on God’s Character
- Practice Listening
- Be in Alignment with God’s Will
- Conclusion
Talk to God Honestly
Psalm 13:1-6 NIV “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”
Have you ever talked to God in this manner? David is respectful but he tells God of his frustration. God seems to be ignoring him, in reality, God is there but David’s feelings are clouding his judgement. He realizes God can be trusted in His love. He then begins to rejoice and sing His praises.
Why not begin your prayers with acknowledging what is going on in your life? Let Him know He’s your strength and help. Give the problem to Him. That is what He wants you to do!
Use Prayers of Surrender from the Bible
Jesus walked this earth for several reasons, one of which is as our example. Sometimes we forget that even though He is God, He also is man.
Luke 22:42 NIV ““Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane just before He was arrested. Knowing what He would be experiencing, He became overwhelmed with sorrow in His human heart. He asked for relief, but humbled Himself and obeyed God’s will.
This is a simple but overwhelming prayer of submission to God. Why not pray this prayer when you feel resistant to God’s will?
This makes a great subject for journaling. Make a list of areas that you struggle with and pray about them.
Focus on God’s Character
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
Jesus’ example of prayer shows us how to focus on God’s character. Start out by acknowledging who He is, God the Father, who is holy, sovereign and provider. He is able to forgive and teach us to forgive others. His strength can protect us from Satan and his temptations.
Writing about God’s character in your journal will help create a pattern in your prayer. This helps in learning to submit to God.
Practice Listening
1 Kings 19:9-13 NIV “There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Jezebel had threatened to kill Elijah after he had killed all the prophets of Baal. He was afraid, discouraged and wanted to die. This is how God approached Elijah, not in a dramatic method but with a whisper. He wanted him to really listen.
In your prayer time, set 5-10 minutes aside to just sit and listen to God. We’re all guilty of filling our time with God in words.
Be in Alignment with God’s Will
Colossians 1:9-10 NIV “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
We should always ask for our petitions to be in God’s will. He will show us in His Word, by the Holy Spirit or sometimes advice from a Godly person what His will is.
Using God’s Word as a prayer can help. This also gives an opportunity to meditate and learn more about scripture.
Conclusion
Prayer is where submission begins. It shapes our heart which in turn shapes our life. It is not just a spiritual discipline, but a way to transform us into the person God wants us to be.
Why not try one of these steps this week to transform your prayer life? You have nothing to lose.
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