Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Praying Like Jesus: Surrendered Prayer, focuses on Jesus’s attitude of surrender.

Show Notes: Praying Like Jesus: Surrendered Prayer

Many men and women in the Bible are wonderful examples of how to live life, seeking hard after God. No one, however, tops the example of Jesus Christ and the way He lived His life on earth as a model to pattern our life after.

If any one word could sum up His years on the earth, it would be surrendered. Jesus totally gave His all for His Father and for us.

In many places in the Word, Jesus gave up time to be alone, to mourn, or rest because of His compassion for people. In Matthew 14: 13-14, Jesus went to be alone after hearing of the beheading of John the Baptist. “When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out, He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.”

He not only taught and healed them but also took time to feed the people before they left. Jesus followed the Father and His will even when it caused Him trouble or made Him unpopular. John 5:18-20 says, “Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him because He not only broke the Sabbath but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” NKJV

I don’t know about you but often I would rather follow the popular way than God’s way. It’s hard to tango when everyone else is waltzing. Fitting in seems easier and it is so hard when people don’t understand you or your choices. In times past, I haven’t spoken up like I should because of peer pressure. People often look at you like you’re a bit odd when you are seeking God and His ways as much as possible. Probably some of you listening have lost family, friends, positions, and even jobs over your choice to be led by God.

Jesus told his disciples: “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19: 29 NKJV

So, rejoice, my friends. There is much good in your future when you surrender. What does it mean to surrender to God? First, we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and then:

1. We release control of our lives to God. As humans, we want our own way and it’s difficult to give control to anyone. But we can trust Him.
   
2. We walk in faith, believing that God has our best in mind. He alone knows what we need.
   
3. We follow where He leads. We take time to read the Word and pray, listening for God’s nudges. Then we go…
   

We can trust Him in surrender. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Jesus prayed the ultimate prayer of surrender in Mark 14: 32-39: “Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.” NKJV

To me, this is the most awesome prayer Jesus spoke. He knew what was ahead; the cross, the beatings, the pain that He, His friends, and family would endure. But He prayed anyway and surrendered His all for us. Glory to God.

Let’s follow the example set before us. We can pray, listen, and surrender. As painful as it may seem at the time, God always redeems whatever we lay at His feet. Every single time.

Let’s pray: Father God, we come to You today in surrender. We surrender our life, our family, our friends, our jobs, our ministry, and our very way of life to You. Take it and use it for Your glory. You alone know what we need. Send us comfort when letting go of control is hard. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Jesus is the ultimate example of how to live surrendered.

Today’s featured author is Heidi Glick, author of Dog Tags, a Christian suspense novel. While serving in the Marines, Mark Graham’s best friend died in combat. Years later, when Mark encounters the dead friend’s sister, he tries to avoid her. But as a stalker comes after Beth, Mark must put aside his fears to protect her.

Learn more at heidiglick.weebly.com/ 

Next week, we’ll discuss focusing our prayers on our family. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance podcast, #Praying Like Jesus: Surrendered Prayer looks at how Jesus displayed the perfect example of following God. #TuesdayThoughts

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Remember: Praying Like Jesus: Surrendered Prayer

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/E5qXXilr8NY