The Prayer of Surrender, also known as the 'Suscipe', was composed by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. It is the culminating prayer of his classic work, the Spiritual Exercises. This prayer is a total offering of one's freedom, memory, understanding, and will to God, asking only for His love and grace in return.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola wrote this prayer as the pinnacle of his Spiritual Exercises, a compilation of meditations and prayers published in 1548. The prayer, titled 'Suscipe' in Latin, which means 'receive', encapsulates the goal of the entire Ignatian retreat: to detach from disordered affections and align one's will completely with the will of God. It is not found in the Roman Missal but is one of the most cherished prayers in Catholic spirituality.
This prayer is a profound act of trust in divine providence. By offering our highest faculties—freedom, understanding, and will—we acknowledge that they are gifts from God and are best used when guided by Him. It expresses the theological virtue of hope, trusting that God's love and grace are sufficient for all our needs. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms this disposition, teaching that true happiness is found not in possessions but in God alone (CCC 2544).
This prayer is ideal as a morning offering, consecrating the day to God's will. It is particularly powerful when facing a major decision, during a period of vocational discernment, or in times of trial and uncertainty. Many pray it at the conclusion of a personal retreat or after receiving Holy Communion. It is especially fitting to pray on the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, July 31st.
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