21 Days of Fasting & Prayer Devotional – Day 9: Submission To God’s Will
The word “submission” means more than just doing what someone else says or recognizing authority above us (although, that can be a part of submitting). Rather, it’s an intentional choice of placing ourselves under the assignment of someone else. In the case for believers, that means we make a choice to position ourselves under the assignment that God has for us instead of choosing to live doing what we believe is best.
This is no doubt difficult for many of us as it requires the removal of pride in our hearts, the surrender of the plans we have made, and a willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit to places we may not understand and that may not make sense at the time.
But, in submitting ourselves to God’s will for our lives, we then become more like Jesus who did this here on earth – for our benefit and example.
“For I [Jesus] have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” John 6:38 (NLT)
“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 (ESV)
If Jesus’ posture was that of submission to the authority and will of the Father, shouldn’t this also be what we seek and desire to have accomplished in our own lives?
The tension we face then falls between the desires of our heart and the desire of God’s heart for us. Submission is the difference between doing things our way and doing things his way. This is a constant battle that we as believers will contend with – but it’s worth contending with that we might live and be in the center of God’s will.
Amongst the challenges already mentioned in submitting to the will of God is in knowing God’s will for our lives. Many times, because we do not hear the voice of God we act as if his will is unknowable for our lives, and yet, God is always speaking.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
“For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.” Job 33:14-15 (NLT)
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 (ESV)
This is why times of prayer and fasting are so important because God is speaking – if we will only lower the volume of the things that take up our time, attention, focus, resources and affections – the voice of God becomes easier to hear. His plans become more clear each day. Our faith in him becomes stronger and we begin to walk according to his will.
PRAYER PROMPT:
Today as you pray and fast, ask yourself what do you know in the Word of God that maybe you’re not obeying – it is God’s will that you would obey his commands. Or what has God revealed to you about his will for your life? Have you truly surrendered to his plan – even if it wasn’t what you thought? Today, pray with a heart of submission and humility – not my will, but yours be done.
