Pray Powerfully, Lose Weight by Healthy by DesignSample

Prayer of Submission

Devotion 

Pray for the spirit of submission, that you will be led by the Spirit and not by your flesh.

The world has marred the concept of submission, but when we look at it in light of God's love for us, we see a very different picture. Imagine a picture of a loving, gentle, patient, yet strong father who cares for our every need and promises us rest, joy, peace, and protection if we will abide in Him and Him alone.

He knows that those diet pills, the surgeries, or the latest 'how to lose weight' book will never satisfy that longing to fix the feelings of unworthiness in ourselves. Submitting our will to Him is the only way to health, healing, and wholeness. That's how much He loves us.

It's time to stop trying to achieve your goals on your terms. How much more money will you spend? How much more time will you waste? How many more days of frustration will you experience? Listen, if you could have done it on your own, you would have already done it. Give it to God, and believe that He is more than able to do for you what you can't do for yourself.

Action

Pray for the spirit of submission. Pray that you will be led by the Spirit and not by your flesh.

Validation

"I've never seriously involved God in my weight loss (1st time), so I need to involve God in this journey and submit it to Him. Secondly, I need to do it through prayer and studying scriptures."

"As many others have said, I have trouble giving up control. We are taught that you get good results by working hard, and you can only rely on yourself. I know God will expect me to work hard at this, but I also know I will only be truly successful at becoming more healthy if I keep my focus on Him, keep my priorities straight, and rely on Him by being in Scripture and prayer. By trusting Him for guidance and strength, I will reduce my stress because HE has control! It's is hard for me—I'm a control-freak, but will keep asking Him to help me give it to Him every morning."

"I believe I need to submit my fear of being smaller. My weight has always been my shield. My thought is, I will no longer have my weight to hide behind. I am led to start writing in my journal and not miss reading the word in the morning. At one time, I was very faithful with my journaling and reading my YouVersion devotions. I need to make a more concentrated effort to be consistent with both."

Declaration

I walk in Your presence today, and I choose to honor You, God, by what I eat and in all I do. I submit my weight, my health, and my body to You. I walk with courage, discipline, and perseverance in times of testing and temptation. I am blessed and prosperous in You.

Supplication

"Dear Lord, I come to You humbly and admit to You that I can't release this unhealthy weight on my own. I've tried for so long and in so many ways. Lord, I open my heart and mind to Your prompting as I submit to You. I invite You to lead me in this process; I commit to doing Your will. In Your Name, I pray. Amen!"

Reflection

1. Author Charles Swindoll says,

"The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off the altar." 

What aspect of your health journey do you have to keep placing back on the altar continually?

2. Reflect on how much God loves you. He desires that we would tangibly experience His love as we spend time with Him.

3. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to a life of submission today. Let Him renew you with a fresh perspective on submission and with the strength to stop taking back what you keep submitting. 

I pray this devotional has been a blessing for you. Find the complete 21-day Healthy by Design: Pray Powerfully, Lose Weight devotional book, along with my other Christian weight loss books and resources at: https://cathymorenzie.com/books