--- title: "5 Ways to Mean What You Pray: Jesus, I Trust in You" description: Are we actually trusting in Jesus or attempting to control the situation? Monica McConkey shares 5 tips for prayer. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/5%20ways%20to%20mean%20what%20you%20pray.jpg ---                                           [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/5-ways-to-mean-what-you-pray-jesus-i-trust-in-you#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # 5 Ways to Mean What You Pray: Jesus, I Trust in You Jun 29, 2020 11:30:00 AM  |  by [Monica McConkey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/monica-mcconkey) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/5%20ways%20to%20mean%20what%20you%20pray.jpg) *Are we actually trusting in Jesus or attempting to control the situation? Monica McConkey shares 5 tips for prayer.* Sometimes, praying “Jesus, I trust in You” feels empty and ineffective, or at best, like wishful thinking. When we pray “Jesus, I trust in You,” all the while coordinating our best backup plan just in case, we’re not actually trusting in Jesus, but in our own feeble strength or attempt to control. “Jesus, I trust in You” is meant to be an active prayer. We *practice* this prayer by reinitiating our prayer of surrender when we become anxious and by choosing with our will to let go of our concerns, placing them in the Lord’s capable Hands.  ### 5 Ways to Mean What You Pray: “Jesus, I trust in You”  1. When we pray “Jesus, I trust in You,” all the while coordinating our best backup plan just in case, we’re not actually trusting in Jesus. Don’t plan while you pray. 2. When we pray “Jesus, I trust in You,” we can’t expect that things will work out exactly the way we want, but we need to have expectant Faith that He will work all things for good. We need to be humble and docile and remain open to His Will and His Best Plan for us. 3. When we pray “Jesus, I trust in You,” we’re not simply seeking His Advice to carry out *our own* plans in the best way possible. He’s not a Consultant: He’s in control. 4. When we pray “Jesus, I trust in You,” but are inclined to continue to fret, we need to practice putting the prayer into action. We need to deliberately arrest our useless and damaging train of anxious thought. We can deliberately redirect our thoughts, choosing to be grateful for our blessings in the present moment. 5. When we pray “Jesus, I trust in You,” we need to deliberately choose with our will to trust in Him and let go of our concerns. If our anxious thoughts return, we need to remind ourselves that we’ve handed our worries over to Jesus. We reinitiate our prayer of surrender over and over again. > [“Jesus, I trust in You” is meant to be an active prayer. #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/6k7sz) ![2020 0629 MMcConkey Jesus i trust in You](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2020%200629%20MMcConkey%20Jesus%20i%20trust%20in%20You.jpg?width=1300&name=2020%200629%20MMcConkey%20Jesus%20i%20trust%20in%20You.jpg) --- Copyright 2020 Monica McConkey Images (top to bottom): [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/solitary-yellow-lighthouse-on-rocky-seashore-4344540/) (2020); copyright 2020 Monica McConkey. 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She is an author and creator of Super Saints quizzing cards and over 45 Saint, Sacrament, Catechism and Prayer-packed Craft Kits to help teach the Catholic Faith. The Catholic teaching tools and gifts are available through [Arma Dei](http://armadei.com/), the Catholic family publishing company founded with her husband Bill. ## Related Blog Articles [ The Saints Were Prompted to Pray. Are You? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-saints-were-prompted-to-pray.-are-you) [ Pray Your Way Through the 12 Days of Christmas Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/pray-your-way-through-the-12-days-of-christmas) [ Are You Ever Distracted in Prayer? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/are-you-ever-distracted-in-prayer) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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