LESSON 5 // THE PRAYER OF SURRENDER

Luke 22:39-46 (NIV) Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

This passage gives us an amazing example of surrender as Jesus submits himself to the Father’s will through prayer in great agony. Effective prayer includes surrender and we need to consider three questions that will help us surrender in prayer. 1. Why surrender?

While surrender may not seem very inviting, in the spiritual dimension of life it’s vital. Growth in God only happens through the process of surrender. Surrender to God happens in and through prayer. Why is spiritual surrender so important? Why do we need to pray the prayer of surrender?

• Jesus surrendered to the Father in prayer. • Biblical examples like Abraham, Moses, Joshua and Paul emphasize the necessity and value

of surrender. • Unless we surrender what stands in the way of God’s will we will never be or experience all

God has planned for us. Pride, our sinful nature, our own plans and even our desire to understand everything must be surrendered to God. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) For we live by faith, not by sight.

2. How do we surrender?

From Jesus’ example recorded in Matthew 26:36-46 and Luke 22:39-46 we discover ten characteristics of the prayer of surrender: • It’s usually precipitated by a spiritual crisis or challenge (Matthew 26:38). • It involves special time with God (Matthew 26:36).

church-redeemer.org // because you have prayed // lesson 5

• It’s personal and private (Matthew 26:36-39). • It can be a painful process (Luke 22:44). • It must be “honest to God” prayer (Luke 22:42). • It requires persistence (Matthew 26:44). • It requires divine assistance (Romans 8:26-27). • The Holy Spirit directs our prayers, comforting and strengthening us as we pray (Luke 22:43). • Others may not understand what we are going through (Matthew 26:43). • Trust in God is essential (Matthew 26:42). • Relinquishment of our will to God’s will is the goal (Matthew 26:45-46).

3. What are the benefits of surrender?

The prayer of surrender releases three things in our lives: • Supernatural peace. • Supernatural power. • Supernatural purpose. Refusing to surrender to God can lead to several possible consequences: • Our spiritual potential is limited. • Our spiritual growth is stunted. • We develop bitterness in our spirit.

God wants us to live a supernatural life full of His power. This only happens as we fully surrender ourselves to Him.

Discussion questions

1. Why is surrender a vital part of our spiritual journey?

2. Read Matthew 26:36-46 and Luke 22:39-46. What do you learn from Jesus’s example in these passages about surrendering to God? How should this make a difference in your relationship with Him?

3. How hard is it for you to surrender your will to God’s? In what ways do you need to surrender to Him at this point in your life? What can you expect from Him when you do?