Total surrender

From Google…

The famous final stanza of the “Peace Prayer of St. Francis” (often referred to as the “Make Me an Instrument of Peace” prayer) reads: “For it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” It is considered “dangerous” because it demands the total surrender of one’s ego, will, and desires to God. [123]

The concept of a “dangerous” prayer in this context refers to the spiritual and personal disruption required by its final line. The prayer asks the speaker to abandon the instinct for self-preservation in favor of a radical, sacrificial way of living and relating to others. [1]

The Radical Nature of the Final Petition

The final line encapsulates the essence of Christian asceticism: to be spiritually “reborn,” a person must metaphorically “die” to their pride, selfishness, and worldly attachments. [12]

  • Giving up control: It asks the believer to stop seeking to be “loved,” “understood,” or “consoled” by others. [1]
  • Total surrender: It requires abandoning the ego’s demand for fairness and justice, replacing it entirely with the active pursuit of loving and serving others unconditionally. [12]
  • Faith over fear: It asks individuals to embrace hardship, doubt, and despair as opportunities to bring God’s light, rather than asking God to remove these hardships. [1]
St. Francis
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2 responses to “Total surrender”

  1. Willie Torres Jr. Avatar
    Willie Torres Jr.

    This is very powerful…. We as Christians often want and ask God to remove the Cross. This Prayer asks Him to help us carry it. And that is what makes it both dangerous and beautiful. 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Little Shubunkin Avatar

      It is very powerful, Willie. What faith over fear entails can be a big ask, a tough mission, and we need all the help we can get, especially from God.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙏🏻

      Like

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