Surrender: Embracing God’s Will in the Midst of Life’s Trials.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10
This is a scripture many of us are familiar with. But when we utter these words, do we truly understand their depth? Last year, I found myself in a situation that tested the very essence of my faith. I was in a valley, faced with giants that seemed insurmountable. A health crisis with a loved one weighed heavily on my family. At the same time, I was grappling with business challenges that triggered intense anxiety. I was at my lowest—living, but not fully alive. Even leaving my bedroom felt like an insurmountable chore.
In my desperation, I began praying the words from Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” What I didn’t fully grasp at the time was that for God’s kingdom to truly come and His will to be done, I had to surrender. This surrender required me to die to myself—my desires, my need for control, my fears. Surrendering is difficult because it means letting go, especially when we can’t see the outcome. But it’s in this act of surrender that healing from our brokenness begins.
As I write this, I want to share what I’ve learned through this experience.
Understanding the Prayer of Surrender
Praying “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” is more than just reciting familiar words. It’s an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and a declaration of our submission to His divine authority. This prayer is a reflection of our deepest desire for God’s rule and purpose to be fully established in our lives and in the world.
When we pray for God’s kingdom to come, we are expressing our longing for His righteous and loving reign to be experienced in every aspect of our lives. We acknowledge that His kingdom is greater than any human kingdom, authority, sickness, business loss, or any other challenge we face. In praying this, we are inviting His transformative power to bring about positive change, even in the midst of our struggles.
Aligning with God’s Will
Praying for God’s will to be done aligns our hearts and minds with His perfect and wise plan. It’s an expression of our surrender to His guidance and a willingness to submit our own desires and agendas to His higher purposes. We seek to live in accordance with His will, recognizing that His ways are higher and better than our own.
This alignment doesn’t come easily. It requires us to let go of our need for control and to trust that God’s plan is ultimately for our good, even when we can’t see it. Surrendering to His will means trusting that He knows what is best for us, even in the darkest of times.
The Power of God’s Kingdom
By praying for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are inviting God to bring about transformation, healing, and restoration. We long to see His kingdom principles of love, justice, mercy, and peace manifested in our lives and in the world around us.
Every end is a beginning. Asking “why” in the midst of horrible circumstances doesn’t set us free. It’s knowing the Lord that sets us free. In Him, we find the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are the qualities that sustain us through trials and tribulations.
Keep the Faith
I don’t know what you are going through right now, but I want to remind you that God is able. He is not done until He is done. Keep the faith, and remember that surrendering to His will is the path to true healing and peace. God’s kingdom is at work in your life, even when you can’t see it. Trust in His love, and let His will be done in your life.