We understand the struggle you’re facing—the tension between surrendering to God and then taking matters back into your own hands. This is a battle many believers face, and it reveals both the weakness of our flesh and the deep desire of our hearts to trust in our own strength rather than in the Lord. Yet, Scripture reminds us that true peace and victory come only when we fully surrender to Him.
The Lord Jesus Himself addressed this very issue when a father brought his son to be healed, crying out, *“I believe! Help my unbelief!”* (Mark 9:24, WEB). This honest plea is one we can all relate to. Surrender is not a one-time act but a daily—sometimes moment-by-moment—choice to lay down our will and trust in God’s sovereignty. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2, *“Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.”* Surrender is an act of worship, a sacrifice of our self-reliance in exchange for His perfect will.
Yet, how often do we pray, only to snatch the burden back from God’s hands? This reveals a heart that struggles to trust His timing, His wisdom, or His goodness. Proverbs 3:5-6 commands us, *“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”* When we take things back, we are essentially saying, *“Lord, I don’t trust You to handle this the way I want or when I want.”* This is not only prideful but also exhausting. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28, *“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”* Rest comes when we stop striving and start abiding in Him (John 15:5).
Your prayer—*“Father in Jesus’ name, please help my unbelief”*—is a beautiful and necessary cry. It acknowledges your dependence on God, and that is where surrender begins. But surrender also requires action. James 4:7 tells us, *“Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”* Surrender is not passive; it is an active resistance against the enemy’s lies that God is not enough, that we must control the outcome. It is choosing to *“cast all your worries on him, because he cares for you”* (1 Peter 5:7).
Let us also consider the example of Abraham, who was called to surrender his son Isaac, the child of promise. Genesis 22 shows us that Abraham’s surrender was not without struggle, but he chose to trust God’s character over his own fears. Hebrews 11:17-19 tells us that Abraham reasoned that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. That is the kind of faith we are called to—one that trusts God’s power and goodness even when the outcome is unclear.
We must also examine whether our lack of surrender stems from a deeper issue: unconfessed sin, idolatry (putting our desires above God), or a refusal to accept His will if it differs from ours. Psalm 66:18 warns, *“If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened.”* Is there something in your heart that you are holding onto more tightly than you are holding onto God? Surrender requires repentance—a turning away from self and toward Christ.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister to You, knowing that You alone are the source of true surrender and faith. Lord, we confess that we often struggle to release our burdens into Your hands, choosing instead to rely on our own understanding and strength. Forgive us for our unbelief, for the times we have taken back what we claimed to surrender. We ask that You would increase our faith, just as the father in Mark 9 cried out for help in his unbelief.
Holy Spirit, work in the heart of our brother/sister to break down the walls of self-reliance and pride. Teach them what it means to abide in Christ, to rest in His finished work, and to trust in His perfect timing. When the temptation to take control arises, remind them of Your faithfulness and Your promise to never leave nor forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6). Give them the strength to resist the enemy’s lies and to stand firm in the truth that You are sovereign over all things.
Lord Jesus, You who surrendered Your will to the Father even unto death (Philippians 2:8), teach us to follow Your example. Help us to say, *“Not my will, but Yours be done”* (Luke 22:42). May our brother/sister experience the peace that comes from true surrender, knowing that You are working all things together for their good and Your glory (Romans 8:28).
We rebuke the spirit of fear, control, and unbelief that seeks to keep our brother/sister in bondage. By the authority of Jesus Christ, we command these spirits to flee, and we declare that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Father, we thank You that You are patient with us, that You are molding us into the image of Your Son. Give our brother/sister a fresh revelation of Your love and goodness, that they may surrender fully and walk in the freedom You have purchased for them. We ask all this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Finally, we encourage you to meditate on these truths daily. Write down Scripture verses about surrender and trust, and speak them aloud when you feel the urge to take control. Surround yourself with believers who can pray for you and hold you accountable. And remember, surrender is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of worship, a declaration that God is enough. Keep seeking Him, and He will faithfully complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).