I Do Not Want Full Control of My Life

In this PLPT Guest Post, Pastor/Professor Lawrence Ware helps us to understand that we can better act in love when we surrender to the will of a higher power.

Often I find it necessary to pause and remember that I do not want to be fully in control of my life.

I find that I act in selfish, inconsiderate ways when I am fully in control. Often, it is important that I pause and remember that, as a Christian, I do not seek for my will to be done on this earth.

A way that I help myself to remember this fact is by reciting the Suscipe of St. Ignatius of Loyola:

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.


You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.


Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.

Now, I am not advocating everyone remember this prayer—it can be boiled down to a simple, Biblical phrase: Thy Will Be Done.

I am convinced that we are all agents of a higher power, and we can choose to spread love and life—or disharmony and spiritual death. If we are in tune with that higher power, we will take care to achieve the love and harmony that we all deeply desire within.

A simple suggestion—say this prayer whenever the need arises: “Thy will be done.” I find that in my life the need is often. When I am angry: Thy will be done. When I am frustrated: Thy will be done. When I see the ills of the world: Thy will be done.

God is wiser than we can ever hope to be. Let his will be done—not our own.

Lawrence Ware is lecturing professor of philosophy at Oklahoma State University and Pastor of Christian Education at Prospect Church. He writes for Tikkun and Religion Dispatchers all while living in Oklahoma City with his wife and sons.