Learning to Wait in Full Surrender

by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan

Time seems to have stopped today. My eyes burn, and my heart hurts. Yet, I am obedient.

Living in full surrender to my Redeemer isn’t what I was expecting. I am not quite sure what I thought full surrender would feel like, but I definitely didn’t expect it to feel like heartbreak and pain in the pit of my gut. There have been sleepless nights and many tears, but I am hopeful that the freedom and liberation will soon give way to peace and joy.

Several months ago, the Lord began speaking to me about the difference between a prison break and a prison release. I had been praying for months about a particular situation that had arisen during my praise and prayer time—a situation that never seemed to be resolved. I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew one thing for certain: I wanted to do exactly what Adonai wanted me to do, even if that meant enduring more waiting, more perseverance, more pressing through.

Finally, after all the waiting, I received an answer:

“The situation will be resolved as a prison release, not a prison break.”

Peter’s Prison Break: Miraculous Liberation

As I sought the Father’s wisdom, I knew that He was leading me into His Word. And so I began to study two stories: Peter’s escape from prison and Paul’s refusal to leave his cell.

📖 Acts 12:1-19 tells us about Peter’s imprisonment under the rule of King Herod Agrippa I. After James, the brother of John, was put to death, Peter was arrested and heavily guarded—chained between two soldiers with others stationed at the gates. But while Peter was bound, the church was fervently praying for his release.

Then, the miraculous happened.

In the dead of night, an angel of the Lord appeared in Peter’s cell, illuminating the room. The chains fell off his wrists, and the angel commanded him to get up, get dressed, and follow. In a daze, Peter obeyed, walking past the guards and out through the iron gate—which opened on its own. It wasn’t until Peter was fully outside that he realized this wasn’t a vision; it was a divine rescue.

Peter was free, but he didn’t flee in secrecy. He immediately sought out the believers, arriving at the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where they had been praying. His liberation came through divine intervention, and his first response was to testify of it.

This was not a prison release, it was a miraculous break of chains—a supernatural move of God in response to prayer and faith.

Paul’s Prison Release: Waiting on God’s Timing

Paul’s story is strikingly different.

📖 Acts 16:16-40 recounts Paul and Silas’ imprisonment in Philippi. After casting a spirit out of a slave girl, they were severely beaten and thrown into prison, their feet fastened in stocks.

But instead of despair, they worshiped.

At midnight, as they prayed and sang hymns, a violent earthquake shook the prison—so powerfully that the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Yet, Paul and Silas did not leave.

Even though God provided an escape, they stayed put—because God’s plan was bigger than their immediate freedom.

The jailer, terrified that the prisoners had escaped, was ready to take his own life. But Paul cried out:

“Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” (Acts 16:28)

That moment changed everything. The jailer, seeing their faith, fell before them and asked:

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)

That night, he and his entire household believed and were baptized.

Paul’s waiting—his decision to stay rather than run—led to the salvation of an entire family.

The next day, when the magistrates ordered his release, Paul didn’t quietly leave. Instead, he confronted the authorities about their unjust treatment of Roman citizens. He didn’t demand immediate escape; he waited for the proper release, ensuring that his departure was a testimony to God’s justice.

Where Am I Now?

With this situation that I have been praying about for many months, I existed inside the waiting of the prison release. I knew that the Lord would eventually bring the situation to resolution and deliver me from it, yet He had work to do in this place as well as inside of me before I leave. So, I pressed on, and I endured. He in His faithful wisdom invited me to fully surrender, not because the waiting is comfortable, but because I TRUST the One who holds the keys to every prison.

For more than six months, I have waited, worshiped, served, and prayed. I believed that when my prison break did come, it would be a complete liberation just as it was for Peter. For many months, Yahweh said, “Not yet.” Then two weekends ago, He very clearly said, “It’s time. I have released you from this situation.”

His response to me at the time flabbergasted me because I had not thought about our conversation and the waiting in a very long time. I had once again become comfortable in my routines, and I definitely did not expect His answer at that very moment.

Looking Toward the Future

The future is so bright today because of liberation. The Lord has new ideas, new challenges, and a new fire to reach Wheeler County Youth for Jesus! Three years ago, He told me, “I will give you Wheeler County.” Now He says, “Go get it!” There is more to come for me and for anyone who surrenders ALL they have to the One who holds the stars in place and created the world.

He told me to wear my widow’s mite jewelry proudly, because now, at last, I have truly given Him ALL I HAVE TO GIVE!

Application

• Are you waiting for a prison break when God is calling you to persevere?
• Have you asked God whether your situation requires endurance or liberation?
• What does full surrender look like in your life today?

Prayer

Father, I trust You. Whether You are calling me to wait or leading me into liberation, I surrender. Help me to be faithful in the waiting, bold in the release, and unwavering in my testimony. May my life bring You glory in all things. I lay down my plans, my fears, and my expectations at Your feet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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