Everything.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 

– Romans 8:26-32

Imagine a greedy person: one not only greedy but brutish and imposing, ruthless and lawless. He breaks into your home. In terror you ask, “What do you want?” He replies, “Everything. I want everything.” A chilling thought to be sure. We would never wish to be like that person. 

Look closely, however, at the invitation of God in these verses: “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32). Everything else. We can lay claim to every good thing that God has to offer. 

This is not a call for us to be greedy. But it is a call to abandon a spirit of fear and timidity. There is never a need to be fearful in approaching a throne of grace. And while, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God,” (Reference), we are called to approach the throne of God’s grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). So which will it be?  

Martin Luther, in explaining the 10 Commandments, begins every explanation with, “We should fear and love…” So perhaps it is both. We approach the throne of God grace with humble faith and bold meekness.

God opens the door to the richness of his storehouse of grace and offers us everything. There is nothing off limits that isn’t immoral, illegal, or ungood for us. I realize those are some limits, but do we all really want everything – including the bad, evil, and harmful things – this world has to offer.

So let us pray…

Father in heaven, we thank you for your goodness, love, and promises about providing us everything for our good. Because of your promise, we come to you in prayer, asking for help, relief, courage, and healing. We need your almighty power to quell this terrible virus. Put an end to its spread. Heal those who are suffering from the disease. Bring our country back to normal, rid the whole world of this illness. Grant us relief, we pray. This is our “everything” prayer to you today, according to your word and promise; through Jesus Christ whom you gave for us. Amen.