A Romans 8:28 Prayer
By Lori Hatcher
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
This Scripture brings comfort, direction, and hope to Christians every day. Sadly, it’s also one of the most misquoted and misunderstood verses in the Bible.
I’d like to share two things about this popular verse you may never have noticed.
First, Romans 8:28 doesn’t mean we can live any way we choose, and God will fix our messes.
To understand the truth of Romans 8:28, we can’t just quote the part of the verse we like: “And we know that in all things God works for the good…” and skip the rest, “of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 is a promise for believers. Real believers. Those who are living for Christ. Not those who claim to believe in God but are living like the devil.
This verse says to those who love God and are doing their best to obey his commands, “Even though bad/sad/evil/wicked things will touch your life, I (God) will use them to ultimately bring about good, both in your life and in the world.”
Second, Romans 8:28 tells us God can use all things together for good. He doesn’t say all things are good.
No matter how rose-colored our glasses are, there’s nothing good about cancer, sex trafficking, or death. Until Jesus returns and conquers Satan once and for all, sin will continue to drag its poisonous tentacles across our world, damaging and destroying everything in its wake.
The truth of Romans 8:28 reminds us that although sin and Satan are powerful, God is more powerful; He is able to redeem and restore anything for our good and his glory. All things may not be good, but God can and will use all things for good.
As long as we live in this world, people will attempt to reconcile God’s sovereignty with humanity’s suffering. Verses like Romans 8:28 assure us that no suffering is wasted, and God is always at work for our good and his glory. When we cannot comprehend why trials come and struggle to imagine that anything good can come from them, we can rest in the security that God is in control.
Because of this, we can have hope.
Please pray with me:
Father, sometimes I can’t understand how you can bring beauty from the ashes of my life. I struggle to trust you with the broken pieces. You say in your Word that without faith it is impossible to please you, and I want to please you. I want to trust you. I want you to make me more like Jesus and use my trials for my good and your glory. Help me believe the promise of Romans 8:28. In the strong name of Jesus I ask, Amen.
Editor’s Note: Content taken from “3 Things You Never Noticed in Romans 8:28” by Lori Hatcher. You can read that piece in full here. All rights reserved.
www.crosswalk.com
Well. Something of interest here. other than spam, just a taunting jab by Darkmoon.
where is the professed caring about your fellow man. The response here shows we have alot of work to do.
Matt 25: Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
Mat 25:35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
Mat 25:36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
Mat 25:37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?
Mat 25:38 And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?
Mat 25:39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’
Mat 25:40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’
Mat 25:41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;
Mat 25:42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’
Mat 25:44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’
Mat 25:45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’
Mat 25:46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
eztwentytwothirty.blogspot.com
Here’s a suggested opening prayer for July 10, 2011 (Proper 10A), based on Romans 8:1-11, one of the suggested lectionary texts for that Sunday. Feel free to revise it to suit your context.
Opening Prayer
(based on Romans 8:1-11)
Life-giving God,
we gather in Your presence
to offer You thanksgiving and praise
for all that You have done for us.
Through the life, death and resurrection of Your Son,
Jesus Christ,
we have been set free—
free from the power of sin that leads to death,
free to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit,
free to love You with all our heart and soul and strength,
free to worship!
May Your Holy Spirit inspire our praise and our prayers.
Open our hearts and minds
to Your presence among us and within us,
and to the Word You have for us today.
To You alone, life-giving God,
belongs all praise and honor and glory and blessing,
now and to the end of time.
Amen.
re-worship.blogspot.com
