Thank you for joining me in praying the Surrender Novena. Fr Dolindo Ruotolo, Spiritual Director to Padre Pio, received this novena from Christ Jesus. As we pray this novena each day, imagine Jesus saying these words to you personally. Prayerfully linger over each word, pondering what Christ might be saying to you.

Day 1
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)

Things to consider.

What does it look like for you to “leave the care of your affairs to Jesus?’ Name your concerns, and intentionally hand them over to God one by one. You must believe that it is within the power of Jesus to help. What would it feel like to unburden yourself and entrust it all into God’s hands? Christ cannot help, however, if you do not let go and truly surrender. It is crucial in this novena and all prayers to surrender everything. Leave nothing for you to tinker with or worry over. Freely submit everything, every aspect and every detail. We begin an exercise in practicing complete trust in the One who can do anything. The One to whom nothing is impossible.

What does “true, blind, complete surrender” look like? How will you practice this during these nine days and the rest of your life? 

This novena is learning to let go and ultimately surrender. It takes practice and pure faith. In closing, each day, we are asked to say ten times, “O Jesus, I surrender myself to you; take care of everything.” 

Does God need to hear it ten times for the formula to work? No. What we are learning over and over as we say this is, I willingly get out of the way, Lord. I choose to put this person, situation, or dilemma into your hands. I know you make miracles happen. I know those with faith in You experience big miracles. I’m giving this all to you, and I will not meddle any longer nor take it back because I think God is working too slowly. I will be patient! Your time, oh Lord. I will let God work in the ways He knows are best and in His timeline.