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Surrender to God – The Inner Life – March 5, 2026

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Bishop Donald Hying joins Patrick to discuss Surrender to God

  • What makes surrender so important?
  • (7:27) What is the motivation to spiritual practices?
  • (12:34) John – I’ve got 2 sons struggling with drugs. Talk to them all the time about it. Not having control and putting it in God’s hands.
  • Bonita – My brother is in a nursing home. They’re going to put him on hospice. Wondering if he’s in the right place. How to navigate making decisions. Can’t always meet what we’re hoping to have. Hospice and not knowing how to navigate.

(18:54) Break 1

  • What does Saint Therese of Lisieux teach us about surrender to God?
  • (22:55) Marisa – Last year, for Ash Wednesday and Lent, I vowed to give up alcohol. I used it as a crutch rather than surrounding to the Lord. I did the surrender novena, drank that night, but seven nights later, I gave it up and it’s been a year of sobriety.
  • (31:01) Stan email – are there any short prayers to say to not despair over past sins?
  • Patrick – I’ve had some success surrendering to God. I have this sloth. It’s tough. Lack of discipline. Need more help from God.

(35:19) Break 2

  • Email from a listener wanting husband getting her husband back to Mass.
  • (39:24) Elanore – I was given my sister’s ashes. I’m driving around with them right now. I surrender, but have no direction. I’m looking for sacred ground. Nobody understands the relationship. She died in a nursing home. I need guidance. I believe she was a sacrificial lamb. I hold her in high regard while the rest of my family doesn’t agree.
  • Email about surrender when others don’t listen as well
  • (45:42) Marge – I’ve learned to surrender to Him. I finally realized what the Our Father really means. I’ve experienced different things. Been praying for granddaughter for years. I have a lot of priest friends I’m in regular contact with. Was told to completely talk to Jesus and lay all in front of the cross. Mentor and confession is important.
Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.