“But, I don’t want to marry you.” she replied. Unable to accept it, the dejected young man requested the preacher to pray so that through divine intervention the woman’s heart is touched and her decision reversed. “I will not make this prayer request on your behalf to the Lord!” the preacher retorted. The preacher defended himself by saying it was akin to witchcraft. The preacher here was an elder, who garnered respect by one and all. He was an anointed teacher of the Word of God.

I couldn’t get this incident out of my mind. Clearly, the preacher had offended the man and was in the wrong. I kept seeking the Holy Spirit for a deeper understanding about this matter. Weeks went by. And then one day, I was reading this scripture portion –  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. Luke 22:42

As I read this verse a few times from various versions, I had a revelation about the power of a surrendered will. Holy Spirit revealed to me that the first thing to do about any situation, is to know the mind of God for that particular situation. It is absolutely ok to share your desires with the Holy Spirit. Bible encourages us to make known our requests unto the Lord. Refer Philippians 4:6. But a surrendered will is to get us ready for the answer which the Bible describes as “exceedingly and abundantly more than what we can ever ask or imagine.” Refer Ephesians 3:20

When I applied this revelation to the incident that happened at the Church, I realised that the preacher was right. The young man should lay his desire before God and seek His will on this matter. When we approach God to know His will, God’s answer may or may not be in line with our desire. But, one thing we learn from the Bible is that God’s answer is always the best, the one which pushes us into our God ordained destiny.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Recently, our Church Pastor told us that he always wanted to be a successful business man. He even vowed to pay huge sums as tithes. And sensing Holy Spirits’ silence on the matter, he ventured on his own and opened a business. It didn’t do well. Then he joined defence services. He was quickly laid off. Again, he tried his hand in another business and that too failed. Then he humbled himself and sought the Holy Spirit with prayer and fasting. He did 40 days fasting seeking blessings for his new business venture. He received a vision. Not quite able to understand it, because it was not what he expected, he did another 40 days fasting. This time he went in fasting with a surrendered will. He had another vision. In this, he clearly saw that it was Gods’ will for him to start his own ministry. He obeyed the Holy Spirit and now Holy Spirit is his partner in the ministry.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:10-14

I also know of a beautiful sister at Church who has a similar testimony. Soon after marriage, this sisters’ husband split from her. Many advised legal separation or divorce. But this God fearing sister went into a season of prayer and fasting. She did multiple fasting sessions. Then one night the Holy Spirit showed her through a dream that He wanted her to pray about getting back together with her husband. Soon after, she had another dream in which she saw herself holding a beautiful baby boy. Encouraged, this sister choose to walk by faith. And it was eight long years before her husband came back looking for her and respectfully took her in as his wife. Today, they are blessed in every way. 

When we know the mind of God for our situation, we stop struggling and start living victoriously even before our promise is manifested. And remember, a surrendered will ushers us into a purpose driven life.