Thanksgiving has somehow retained the simplicity of enjoying good food with family. We have the opportunity to slow down and be thankful. We can express our thanks to each other and to God. For me, Thanksgiving often offers extra time for reflection and prayer. One prayer, written by Rev. Choi, Il-Do, founder and leader of the Dail Community touched me deeply.
Dail Community began with Rev. Choi serving one bowl of soup to someone in need. Now the Dail Community feeds thousands of people daily and offers free medical services at 17 branches in 10 countries throughout Asia. This prayer was written in the beginning stages of his ministry.
I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands, I commend my soul;
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father. — Choi, Il-Do
I have difficulty totally abandoning myself into God’s hands. I want to stay in control but I must learn to understand the necessity of commending my soul without reserve and with boundless confidence. So, this Thanksgiving and for many days following, this prayer will be a regular part of my morning ritual.
Another way to read the prayer is by adding the words: Help me…
Lord, help me abandon myself into your hands — help me allow you to do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do… help me to thank you.
Help me be ready for all… help me to accept all.
Help me to let only your will be done in me as well as all your creatures but let it begin with me.
Help me to wish no more than this and not let my wishes get in the way.
O Lord, into your hands, help me commend my soul;
Help me to offer it all to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you Lord and so need to give myself,
Help me to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
The Apostle Paul challenges us to abandon ourselves to God’s will in a different way. “We keep praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thes. 1:11-12
We have been called by God to live a life worthy of his call. This is so important; I need to repeat it.
You have been called by God to live a life worthy of his call.
How are you doing? Are you living a life worthy of his call? If you are like me, you are doing pretty well in some areas and in other areas… poorly. Here is the best part. It is not too late to change, to get back on track. God can give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. God can give you the power to change and God can give you the power to live a better life.
You have been called by God to live a life worthy of his call.
When godliness is produced in you from the life that is deep within you — then that godliness is real, lasting and the genuine essence of the Lord. – Madame Jeanne Guyon
Rev. Choi has certainly learned to live a life worthy of his call. The Dail Community has managed to feed thousands, provide medical care for hundreds more and has left a deep impact and a powerful witness for God at communities in many nations throughout the world.
This Thanksgiving, I express thanks for the witness of Rev. Choi and I ask God to help me abandon myself into God’s hands so that I can live a life worth of His call. I pray God will bless you as well as challenge you this Thanksgiving to abandon yourself into God’s hands and live a life worthy of His call.
Amen.
