“I Surrender All,” Priscilla Shirer’s first book in five years, is released.

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give … I surrender all.” For many Christians, these words are deeply familiar, often sung in church services or whispered during moments of personal devotion. However, in a world that increasingly emphasizes autonomy and control, do modern believers truly understand the depth of what it means to live fully surrendered to Jesus?

In her long-awaited book, I Surrender All, Bible teacher, speaker, and actress Priscilla Shirer explores the concept of surrender in a way that speaks to the hearts of everyday people. The book, her first release in five years, invites readers to examine how a complete surrender to Jesus can transform their daily lives. Shirer takes a deep dive into what it means to give everything—body, mind, and spirit—over to Christ, underscoring the profound difference between accepting salvation and fully embracing the call to discipleship.

Released on August 6 by B&H Publishing Group, I Surrender All coincides with the release of the Kendrick brothers’ latest film project, The Forge, which stars Shirer herself and will hit theaters on August 23. This book, which pairs well with the movie, presents a timely message to those eager to explore how to live a life of radical surrender to Christ.

A Call to Radical Discipleship

Throughout the eight chapters of I Surrender All, Shirer invites readers to consider what it means to surrender everything to God. She believes that true discipleship demands nothing short of complete submission to Jesus in every area of life—whether it is our possessions, ambitions, relationships, or daily actions. Shirer’s message is clear: true freedom in Christ is found only when we let go of control and allow Jesus to take full authority over our lives.

Shirer explains the difference between being a Christian and being a disciple, pointing out that while salvation is a free gift offered by grace, discipleship comes with a cost. “It’s one thing to be a Christian, to have accepted His gift of salvation. It’s another thing to decide to be His disciple,” she writes. “One is a free gift, and the other one comes at a cost. It requires surrender.”

For many, this challenge to fully surrender may seem daunting. After all, giving up control is not something that comes naturally to anyone. Shirer acknowledges that many believers might be comfortable inviting Jesus into certain areas of their lives—perhaps in their personal devotional time or during moments of worship—but they hesitate when it comes to relinquishing control over other parts. This, she argues, is where the line between belief and discipleship is drawn.

“We’re afraid surrendering the whole of ourselves to Him, giving Him full access to our entire lives, will cause disruptions to our preferred way of living,” Shirer writes. “So we say to Him, in essence, ‘Come in as Savior. But not as Lord.’”

This decision to withhold certain parts of our lives from Jesus, Shirer contends, is precisely what prevents us from experiencing the fullness of His plans for us. True discipleship, according to Shirer, is a life lived in radical obedience to God, one that leaves no part of our hearts or lives untouched by His transforming grace.

The Power of Surrender

In each chapter, Shirer takes readers through specific areas of life where surrender is required: our desires, our goals, our fears, our identity, and our relationships. She challenges readers to ask themselves whether they are truly willing to submit everything to God, acknowledging that surrender does not come easily. She emphasizes that living a surrendered life requires a continual process of letting go—of our preferences, our will, and our control—and yielding to God’s greater plan.

However, Shirer is quick to point out that this radical surrender, though difficult, is not in vain. In fact, she argues that the surrendered life is the life that leads to the fullest fulfillment. “Losing one’s life is the only way to find it,” Shirer writes, echoing the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:25. Surrender, as Shirer explains, does not equate to losing one’s identity or purpose. Rather, it is the pathway to discovering who we are meant to be in Christ, and it opens the door to an abundant life that is far more satisfying than any of the temporary pleasures we cling to.

Shirer draws on her own experiences, both personal and professional, to illustrate what it looks like to surrender. As a wife, mother, actress, and speaker, she shares candid moments where she has had to wrestle with surrender in her own life, showing that even those who have walked with Christ for years still face the challenge of letting go of personal ambitions and desires.

The power of surrender, she argues, is not in the sacrifice itself but in what it allows God to do in and through us. When we fully surrender, we open ourselves up to the work of the Holy Spirit, who leads us into greater obedience, greater joy, and greater intimacy with God.

Embracing the Process

One of the unique aspects of I Surrender All is the way Shirer invites readers into the process of surrender. At the end of each chapter, she includes questions and journaling prompts to help readers reflect on what they’ve read and to internalize the message of the chapter. These exercises are designed to encourage readers to not just passively absorb information but to actively engage with the content and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts.

“If this experience we’re embarking on is going to be complete, we can’t just read about it,” Shirer writes. “We need to do something about it. More accurately, we need to let Him do something in us.” Shirer hopes these moments of reflection will not only help readers understand the concept of surrender but will also inspire them to make decisions that move them toward a deeper, more committed walk with Christ.

By giving readers space to pause and reflect, Shirer emphasizes that surrender is not a one-time decision but an ongoing process. It is something that requires daily attention and intentionality. With each new challenge, each new season of life, we are invited to surrender more fully and trust God more deeply.

For New and Seasoned Believers Alike

While I Surrender All speaks to seasoned believers who may have been following Christ for years, it also provides a valuable invitation for those who are new to the faith. Shirer recognizes that the path of discipleship is not always easy, and for those just beginning their journey with Christ, the call to surrender may seem overwhelming. Yet, she encourages new believers to take this step with courage, knowing that the reward of walking in full obedience to Christ is far greater than anything the world offers.

For seasoned Christians, I Surrender All serves as a powerful reminder that the call to discipleship is not a one-time decision but a continual process of surrender. Shirer’s words challenge readers to examine their lives and ask whether they are truly following Christ in every area, or if there are parts they have been holding back.

A Life-Changing Message

In I Surrender All, Priscilla Shirer offers a compelling and convicting call to live a life fully surrendered to Jesus. Whether you are a new believer or have walked with Christ for many years, this book challenges you to go beyond the initial act of salvation and take the next step toward radical discipleship. Shirer’s message is clear: to follow Christ is to surrender all, and in doing so, we discover the true freedom and fulfillment that comes from living fully under His rule and authority.

I Surrender All is available for pre-order now and will be released on August 6, 2024, through Lifeway.com and other major booksellers. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ and live a life that truly reflects the call to discipleship.