The Prayer That Changed The Game For Me

The more I grow in my faith, the more comfortable I’m getting with surrendering the steps and outcomes of my life over to God concerning every area of my life. If He’s not orchestrating or approving the moves, the relationships, or the blessings in my life, I don’t want them or need them. After all, it would be insane for me to move forward without His consent. When I’ve made decisions without checking in with Him, I have, however, invited unnecessary stress, setbacks, pain, and humiliating moments into my life that could’ve been avoided if I’d just checked in with Him first.

His answers to all of our requests are usually yes, no, or not right now.

I honestly don’t like when I get a no or a not right now with different things I’ve prayed for, waited for, and felt ready for, but His ways are what’s best. Isaiah 55:8-9 reads, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

During different seasons when I wasn’t getting what I wanted, I felt like God was unfair. And I started questioning Him and wrestling with doubt. Now I have a things will happen the way He wants them to happen, or they won’t happen at all mindset. I no longer try to force outcomes and put my hands on things only He can do, change, or fix. Distinguishing where I need to surrender by stepping aside and giving Him the space to move has been challenging to navigate sometimes but has ultimately been what’s best. My prayer of surrender (and one that’s changed the game for me) has typically gone -- God, this is what I want. If this is what you want, let’s do this. If not, help me to trust you have something else in mind. You’re still so good even when I get what I want and when I don’t.

I won’t make a career decision without Him.

I won’t sign a contract or take a business deal without Him.

I won’t accept a relationship, a proposal, or a marriage without Him.

I won’t make a life-changing decision without Him.

And I won’t do life without Him.

I need His approval and confirmation first.

Surrendering to what God wants for you will always be better than what you think is best for you, even if you don’t like or fully understand what He’s doing in the process. The processing stage is necessary. It’s also the birthing place of transition. It’s the same place your endurance is being built, your patience is being strengthened, and your character and motives are being tested and developed so that you’re ready for what He has for you.

The question is will you go your own way, or will you align yourself with what God wants for you?

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

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Making Waves