Have you ever found yourself clinging tightly to your own plans—only to realize they weren’t leading where God wanted you to go? If we’re honest, most of us prefer when life goes our way. We like when things feel manageable, when circumstances line up with our expectations, and when we feel in control. But Jesus teaches us a different way in the Lord’s Prayer:
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
These words are simple to recite, yet they invite us into one of the hardest and holiest prayers we can ever pray: “Not my will, but Yours.”
The Posture of Surrender
Surrender doesn’t come naturally. Our culture tells us to “chase your dreams” and “follow your heart,” but Jesus calls us to seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). That means loosening our grip on what feels safe and familiar, and trusting Him with what we cannot see.
Jesus Himself modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane. On the night He was betrayed, He prayed:
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
His surrender didn’t make life easier—it led Him to the cross. But it also opened the door for salvation, redemption, and eternal life.
When we pray ‘Your will be done,’ we’re not giving up—we’re aligning our lives with a loving Father who sees beyond what we can see. He knows the details we can’t see and the future we can’t predict, and He carries the burdens we don’t even realize we’re holding. Surrender may feel risky, but it always leads to peace, freedom, and the deep assurance that we are safe in His hands.
Choosing His Kingdom Over Our Own Way
Living for God’s kingdom often requires stepping beyond what feels easy:
- Saying yes to serving when you’d rather stay home.
- Forgiving when holding on feels more natural.
- Trusting God with your future instead of clinging to your own plans.
Each act of surrender is an act of faith that says: “God, I trust Your plan more than my own.”
And here’s the beautiful truth—when we let go, we discover the freedom that comes from living for His kingdom.
Practical Ways to Live This Out
So how do we cultivate a heart of surrender? Here are three ways to begin:
- Pray Daily: Begin each morning with the prayer, “Lord, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life today.”
- Pause & Listen: Create space to ask, “God, what do You want here?” before rushing into decisions.
- Practice Surrender: Choose one area where you’ve been clinging tightly (time, money, relationships, goals) and release it to Him this week.
Reflection Questions
- Where do you struggle most to pray, “Your will be done”?
- What preferences or habits are hardest for you to release to God?
- Can you recall a time when surrendering led to blessing or unexpected growth?
- What step of surrender is God inviting you to take this week?
Living for the Kingdom with a Heart of Surrender
Living life on purpose means seeking His kingdom, not ours. It means trading short-term control for eternal impact. It may not always feel easy, but it will always be worth it—because His plans are good, His timing is perfect, and His kingdom is unshakable.
“Father, I surrender my plans, my timeline, and my preferences to You. Teach me to seek Your kingdom first and to trust that Your will is always good. Amen.”
👉 Free Download: Living a surrendered life – A printable reflection sheet to help you release what you’re holding onto and prayerfully place it back into God’s hands.