What do surprises have to do with our life of faith?
I know that it seems like we have had just one too many surprises over the course of this past year. 2020 has been the most surprising year on record for about a dozen different reasons that I won’t go over in this devotion because I’m sure, like me, most of you are tired of being reminded of all the “unprecedented” things that have happened since January 2020.
While surprises might seem like a bad thing in the context of 2020, I want to remind us all that during normal-er times surprises were actually kinda fun. Surprise birthday parties, surprise visits from friends, surprise letters in the mail, remember all of those things?
A while back a friend told me about an unique approach to their prayer life. Apparently, every day, this friend would wake up in the morning and say a very simple prayer: “Surprise me God”. (Apparently, it’s from a book called “Surprise Me” by Terry Esau.)
It’s a really interesting prayer, especially when you consider how asking God to surprise you could change your entire approach to the day. By asking God to surprise you, you are letting God be in control. Rather than trying to have everything go your way, rather than being disappointed when life doesn’t go the way you had imagined, when you pray, “Surprise me God” you are letting God be in control and you can approach the day with confidence and a sense of trust.
But not only that. When you pray, “Surprise Me God” you are also opening yourself up to the possibility of surprise. You’ll go about your day with a new perspective. What small ways has God answered that prayer? Where is God breaking in with a surprise?
Give it a try today. Really ask God to surprise you and then live this day with a sense of trust and a sense of hopeful expectation, because God is in control, and what God can accomplish in your life just might surprise you.
I know that it seems like we have had just one too many surprises over the course of this past year. 2020 has been the most surprising year on record for about a dozen different reasons that I won’t go over in this devotion because I’m sure, like me, most of you are tired of being reminded of all the “unprecedented” things that have happened since January 2020.
While surprises might seem like a bad thing in the context of 2020, I want to remind us all that during normal-er times surprises were actually kinda fun. Surprise birthday parties, surprise visits from friends, surprise letters in the mail, remember all of those things?
A while back a friend told me about an unique approach to their prayer life. Apparently, every day, this friend would wake up in the morning and say a very simple prayer: “Surprise me God”. (Apparently, it’s from a book called “Surprise Me” by Terry Esau.)
It’s a really interesting prayer, especially when you consider how asking God to surprise you could change your entire approach to the day. By asking God to surprise you, you are letting God be in control. Rather than trying to have everything go your way, rather than being disappointed when life doesn’t go the way you had imagined, when you pray, “Surprise me God” you are letting God be in control and you can approach the day with confidence and a sense of trust.
But not only that. When you pray, “Surprise Me God” you are also opening yourself up to the possibility of surprise. You’ll go about your day with a new perspective. What small ways has God answered that prayer? Where is God breaking in with a surprise?
Give it a try today. Really ask God to surprise you and then live this day with a sense of trust and a sense of hopeful expectation, because God is in control, and what God can accomplish in your life just might surprise you.
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2026
January
365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - St. Ignatius ExamenHymn Reflection - God of Love, O King of PeaceThe Book of Deuteronomy - Establishing CommunityThe Epiphany of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Isaiah 58The Unexpected Ways of God: Mistakes Epiphany Rising Stars - Guidance365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Lectio DivinaEpiphany Rising Stars - InspirationThe Book of Joshua - God Keeps the PromiseThe Baptism of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Jeremiah 29:7The Unexpected Ways of God: Prayer365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Centering PrayerThe Book of Judges - Abundant MercyRated PG: Thoughts on Matthew 5New BeginningsEpiphany Rising Stars - SeasonsEpiphany Rising Stars - Knowledge of Love365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Prayer JournalingEpiphany Rising Stars - ChangesEpiphany Rising Stars - AweThe Book of Ruth - Challenging our AssumptionsStewardship SermonUnconditional LoveThe Unexpected Ways of God: FeastEpiphany Rising Stars - God Hold's the Future365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - The Jesus PrayerEpiphany Rising Stars - Beautiful SaviorThe Book of Ecclesiastes – Finding Meaning in God
February
Fourth Sunday after EpiphanyEpiphanies For Epiphany - GraceThe Unexpected Ways of God: SuprisesEpiphanies For Epiphany - Sanctification365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - GratitudeEpiphanies For Epiphany - Law & GospelThe Book of Philippians - Hope in Times of TroubleThe Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Epiphanies For Epiphany - CreationThe Unexpected Ways of God: Sports MoviesEpiphanies For Epiphany - Trinity365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Seasons, Rituals, and TraditionsEpiphanies For Epiphany - FaithThe Book of Song of Solomon – Love as a Reflection of God’s FaithfulnessThe Sixth Sunday after EpiphanyEpiphanies For Epiphany - SilenceThe Unexpected Ways of God: Niagara FallsThe Season of Lent365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Daily Life CuesUnlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplishThe Book of Isaiah - Hope in the Midst of JudgementThe First Sunday in LentHymn Devo - Lord of All HopefulnessYou Are SpecialUnlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplish CopyRated PG: Thoughts on Luke 4Unlearning for Lent - Performative Faith
March
The Second Sunday in Lent Unlearning for Lent - Scarcity MindsetLet Go and Let God Unlearning for Lent - DespairHidden but Still ThereUnlearning for Lent - Silence as Absence The Book of Lamentations - Hope in the Midst of SufferingThe Third Sunday in LentUnlearning for Lent - The Need to Fix EveryoneHymn Devo - What a Fellowship, What a Joy DivineUnlearning for Lent - The Idol of Comfort365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Breath Prayer
2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...
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