A Prayer for Choosing to Believe God Is Good - Your Daily Prayer - April 3
A Prayer for Choosing to Believe God Is Good
By Brooke McGlothlin
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
An absolute bundle of nervous energy, she sat across from me in the small counseling room, trying to wrap her mind around the positive pregnancy test confirmed on the sheet of paper in front of her. Her stress had everything to do with her stage of life and the total and radical shifting of priorities and plans a new baby meant. Instead of the freedoms of retirement calling her name, long, sleepless nights, tantrums, diapers, and the realities and risks of being an older mom now loomed in the not-so-distant future. She’d been living happily in one reality, and now a new one inserted itself into her life without permission…or so she thought.
“I’ve never been a fan of…well…that option…” she said, “but I just don’t know if I can do this again. What if something’s wrong with the baby? What if it affects my health negatively? What if having this baby makes it harder for me to take care of the children I already have?” These were the questions plaguing her, and I understood completely. With only a few years between us, I knew that her fears would be my exact fears were I to find myself pregnant and expecting a child in my mid-forties.
As I listened to her rattle off statistics about all of the things that could possibly go wrong, a small question began to form in my mind. When she paused to take a breath, I looked at her and quietly asked: “Do you believe God is good?” As a professing Christian, she quickly said yes. But then I asked her a follow-up question: “If the very worst possible scenario were to happen with this pregnancy, would you still believe God is good and that His plans for you are good?” And then she began to cry.
Romans 8:28 is a familiar and beloved verse to Christians around the world. Most of us can quote it word-for-word and often do, especially when things don’t seem all that good. I remind myself frequently that the words “all things” really do mean all things. God works the good, the bad, and the ugly together for our good when we belong to Him. But it isn’t really the words “all things” that I struggle with about this verse. No, if I’m honest, I struggle with another word entirely: “good.” Most of the time, I have to face the fact that what I define as good may or not be what God defines as good, and sometimes it takes what seems bad in the moment to produce a greater good God wants to work in my life for His glory.
Let’s pray:
Father, I believe You’re good and that Your plans for me are good, but in the heat of the moment, I often confuse my definition of good with Yours. Help me to see the circumstances of my life through the lens of Your Word and to remember that I can trust You no matter what comes my way. Make me confident in Your goodness so that I can live in a way that others see You in me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/PhotoAlto/EricAudras
Related Resource: How to Choose Your One Word for 2026
This month on the How to Study the Bible Podcast, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.
Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
