A prayer based on Romans 8:28-30

<aside> 🙏🏻 Our Lord and our God, We confess that as we follow You, there are often times when we wonder, ‘Will I make it to the end? Will I make it to heaven?’ But we praise You that Your answer to us is always “Yes” if you are in Christ Jesus, “Yes” if you are trusting in Jesus to rescue you from sin and hell and death. We praise You for the wonderful assurance You give, that because You have already begun a good work in us, You will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. We praise You our making it heaven is not down to us but is dependent on You because it is Your purpose to finish what You have started.

Thank You that in all things, in every event, in every circumstance, past, present or future. Whether that be unbelievable suffering, hidden pain, private grief, times of joy and encouragement. In fact, in every possible situation in every second of history in every location in the universe, You are working. You are in control. You are directing what is happening to make sure all things achieve Your planned purpose which is for the good of those who love You. Thank You that You are at work in all things and You are at work for our good. Which is to conform us to the likeness of Your Son, the Lord Jesus. To make us more like Him until the day we are like Him in the new heaven and new earth.

We praise You that this process of making us more like Jesus began a long, long, time ago. Before time began when You foreknew us. That before the universe was created You chose a vast number of people to be Your children, a great multitude that no-one can count which would come from every nation, tribe, people and language, and You did so know that they would all sin and reject You. We praise You that Your plan to save us involved calling us through the gospel, the good news of Your Son’s death in the place of sinners, and by enabling us by Your Spirit to repent and trust in Him and be saved. We praise You that when we responded to this good news, You justified us, declaring us righteous in Your sight and accepted by You. That You no longer see us as guilty sinners but forgiven sons and daughters. And we praise You that one day this saving work will be complete when we are glorified, and the process of making us like Christ will be complete.

Father, what a joy it is to know that You are at work in this way. Predestining those You foreknew. Calling those You predestined. Justifying those You called. And one day glorifying all those You have justified. Father, what a joy it is to know that because You are at work in this way, through Your Son and by Your Spirit, we don’t need to worry about the future if we love You, because our hope is certain and secure.

So, forgive us then, on the basis of what Christ has done, for those times when we don’t love You as we should. For when we lack the assurance that You want us to have. For when we think that making it to heaven is down to us and not the truth that Jesus gives eternal life to His followers and no-one can snatch them out of His hand. For when we doubt that You really are working for our good in every circumstance of our lives.

Holy Spirit give us a love for the Lord Jesus if this is absent from our lives, we beg this of You now. Holy Spirit increase our love and our dependence upon Him, where and when this is lacking. And fill us with joy and hope and confidence because we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and is at work in our live to make us like Jesus and to make sure we make it to heaven.

Amen.

</aside>