A Prayer to Help You Relinquish Control
By Betsy de Cruz
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” - Exodus 14:13-14, NIV
“Why did I say that?” I wondered. After I interviewed for a new job, my stress levels increased while waiting for the results in the days that followed. I went over the conversation in my mind again and again, analyzing what I could have said better or shouldn’t have said at all.
I’d felt confident, until the interviewer said, “We’ll let you know of our decision in three weeks.” My thoughts immediately went to all the reasons why I might have to wait so long, including the possibility that he hoped a better candidate would appear. My mind went into overdrive, analyzing every mistake I might have made in the application process.
I tend to overthink things.
Mulling over the interview now can’t change a thing, but it does illustrate the way we grapple for control in hard situations. We think if we do or say just the right thing, we can make everything okay. As if it all depended on us.
What situation in your life today is causing you to overthink? Are you worn out trying to come up with solutions? Do your thoughts keep you up at night as you hash out the problem and wonder if you’re doing enough to solve it?
In today’s verse, the Israelites were surrounded by trouble, with the Red Sea before them and Pharaoh’s armies behind them. Yet Moses challenged them to cast off fear and stand firm on the hope of God’s deliverance.
What if you surrender your situation or problem into the Lord’s care? Ask Him to help you be still and trust Him to fight for you. Our job is to seek God first: to trust His goodness, stand firm on His promises, and praise Him, even before we see the victory we long for. God’s job is to fight for us: to open or close doors, direct our paths, and empower us by His Holy Spirit to live out His plans.
Let’s pray:
Lord, I praise you for your great love for me and your power that works on my behalf. Help me to trust you today. I lay down my worries at your feet, and I ask that you help me to surrender control to you. I trust you, the great and powerful God who goes before me.
Lord, would you fight my battle for me? I am powerless, but you are all-powerful. I do not know the best solution to this situation, but you are all-knowing and wise. Give me grace to stand still and look to you. Bring your peace to my anxious heart.
Help me to believe you will act on my behalf. I praise you now for the victory you will bring. I thank you now for the door you will open and the door you will shut because I trust you to lead me along the right paths. All your ways are steadfast love and faithfulness.
Be glorified in my life today. Help me to keep a quiet heart and to live with an attitude of surrender. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Betsy de Cruz helps overwhelmed women take small steps to invite more of God’s presence and power into their lives. Connect with Betsy to get your free Quiet Time Renewal Guide and other resources at FaithSpillingOver.com. Her book More of God is a distracted woman’s guide to more meaningful quiet times. After living in the Middle East for 16 years with her husband and two children, Betsy landed in Texas, where she still enjoys drinking chai with friends.
Link to “free Quiet Time Renewal Guide”: http://eepurl.com/dubSO1
Link to FaithSpillingOver: https://faithspillingover.com/
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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Originally published Friday, 22 October 2021.
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