Prayer of Total Trust

Prayer of Total Trust

O Lord, I trust in You completely. I place my life, my hopes, my fears, my past, my present, and my future into Your loving hands.

When the way is unclear, be my light; when my heart is troubled, be my peace; when I am weak, be my strength.

I trust You when I understand, and even more when I do not. Teach me to abandon myself to Your will, knowing that You always desire my good.

Into Your hands, O Lord, I surrender everything. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.

A prayer of total trust in God involves acknowledging His sovereignty, reflecting on His past faithfulness, surrendering worries and fears, and seeking godly counsel. This type of prayer emphasizes complete dependence on God's will and timing, rather than one's own understanding or control.

The concept of total trust in God is rooted in the belief that God is perfect, all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful, and that His plans are ultimately for one's well-being. It is a recognition that human efforts and self-sufficiency are limited, and true peace and effectiveness come from relying on divine intervention.

One common approach to a prayer of total trust is to begin by affirming God's attributes, such as His faithfulness, goodness, and mercy. For example, one might pray, "Lord God, you are perfectly faithful in everything you do. You show your faithfulness to me in caring for me, protecting me, and providing for my needs". This sets the foundation for surrendering personal control and embracing God's guidance.

Another key element is the act of surrendering specific worries, fears, and difficult situations to God. This can involve verbally laying out one's struggles and asking God to intervene according to His will. The "Surrender Novena," for instance, repeatedly uses the phrase, "O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!" as a central theme. This repetition helps to cultivate a mindset of letting go and allowing God to act.

Reflecting on past instances of God's faithfulness can also strengthen trust. Remembering how God has provided, protected, or guided in previous situations can build confidence in His continued care. This practice reinforces the belief that God is consistent and unchanging in His love and support.

Furthermore, a prayer of total trust often includes a plea for forgiveness for moments of doubt, grumbling, or attempting to control outcomes independently. It acknowledges human limitations and the tendency to rely on self rather than God. The prayer can also seek guidance on how to practically live out this trust daily, asking for small ways to demonstrate faith.

Ultimately, total trust in God is not a one-time event but a continuous journey and daily practice. It involves a willingness to embrace vulnerability, let go of expectations, and believe that God's plan is superior to one's own.. As expressed in the "Litany of Trust," it means trusting that God is continually holding, sustaining, and loving, and that His plan is better than anything else.