Could eight words transform your life for God? Yes! They did for Jesus and they will for you if you pray them from your heart — and keep praying them.
Let me set the stage for these words of power and peace to live in you and I as they did in Jesus…
Jesus’ Way for You
Remember that Jesus was tempted to sin in every way that we are and he experienced all the stresses and pains that we do — and far more besides! — and he remained loving toward God and neighbor and always at peace (Hebrews 4:15). The Son of God was also the Son of Man and he had to “grow in grace” just like we do (Luke 2:40, 52; 1 Peter 3:8).
Contrary to popular belief, the key to Jesus’ holiness and success was not his giftedness or asserting himself to make things happen. No. Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father doing” (John 5:19).
In all things Jesus abandoned outcomes to God. He pursued intimacy with the God he called “Papa.” He listed to God’s wisdom through sacred Scripture. He waited for his Father to show him what to do. He relied on the power of the Holy Spirit always.
If you and I want to be like Jesus then we need to do things in the way that Jesus did them — actively submitting ourselves to our Father in the heavens.
The Prayer
On the cross in his moment of most severe trial, greatest need, and most important opportunity Jesus prayed the eight words that change everything: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
Jesus borrowed this prayer of submission to God from David (Psalm 31:5) and adapted it by praying it to God as Father. Jesus was able to offer this prayer on the cross because it was already living in him.
This humble prayer defined Jesus — it was his attitude and demeanor always. For instance, we see Jesus’ submission to the Father in his setting aside the privileges of the Godhead to become human, the way he lived on earth as a servant for 33 years, his sacrificial death on the cross, and his sitting at the right hand of the Father in glory.
For Jesus’ prayer to transform your life you need to learn to pray it earnestly from your heart and apply it in all of your daily relationships and activities — each opportunity, each stress or challenge, each hurt and each blessing.
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
