The Struggle to Let Go: A Prayer for Surrender
In the midst of life’s turmoil, we often find ourselves clinging to the things that bring us comfort and security. But as followers of Christ, we’re called to surrender our grip on this world and instead, grasp the promises of God. This ancient prayer, penned by Jeremy Taylor in the 17th century, echoes the struggles of the Christian life in a deeply personal way.
The Tension Between Two Worlds
Jesus reminds us that whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for his sake will find it (Matt. 10:39). Yet, we live in a fallen world, surrounded by temptations that vie for our attention. We try to control our circumstances, taking as much from this world as we can. But in doing so, we forget that true fulfillment comes from surrendering to God’s will.
A Life of Extremes
Jeremy Taylor, a 17th-century bishop, knew both the highs and lows of life. From his privileged position at Cambridge and Oxford to his imprisonment and later, his role as a bishop in Ireland, Taylor experienced the best and worst of this world. His prayer reflects his understanding of the human struggle to let go of earthly desires and instead, seek God’s transformative power.
The Power of Divine Action
Our only hope in this ongoing battle against temptation lies in the Holy Spirit’s transforming power. Without it, we’re helplessly enthralled by earthly pleasures, unable to “open our hands” to receive what God has promised. We pray with Taylor, asking God to “open our hands for us. And not only open our hand, but also open our mouth. And not only our mouth, but our heart also.” We’re dependent on divine action to mature spiritually, and it’s only through God’s control of our hands, mouths, and hearts that we can truly surrender.
The Root of the Problem: Our Heart
Taylor’s prayer highlights the root cause of our struggles: our heart. We’re susceptible to the things we can hold, ingest, and speak. Our words can cause damage to others and hinder our own spiritual growth. We need God to take control of our heart, for where it goes, our mouth and hands will follow.
A Simple yet Colossal Challenge
Taylor’s prayer combines three quotations from Paul, summarizing the struggle we all face: to know nothing but Christ (1 Cor. 2:2), to count everything as loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:8), and to strive to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). This truth is simple yet remains a colossal challenge throughout life’s ups and downs. When we’re at the height of human power, we tend to hold on tightly to what we can grasp. But when we’re in the depths of despair, we long for the very things that proved fleeting. We need God’s work in our lives to teach us that those tempting things are worthless compared to God himself.
A Prayer for Surrender
So we ask with Jeremy Taylor, “Please God, open our hands for us. And do not only open our hands, but also open our mouths. And not only our mouths, but our hearts also.” May we surrender our grip on this world and instead, grasp the promises of God, knowing that true fulfillment comes from surrendering to his will.
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