Why I Love Praying ‘All is Yours’

I don’t remember how or when it started, but at some point, I frequently began praying, “all is yours.”

Many of my prayers are punctuated with this simple recollection. It’s a refrain that sticks with me because it so helpfully redirects my perspective. 

 Remembering that all is the Lord’s helps me to…

Acknowledge

Acknowledging that all is the Lord’s reminds me who He is. All is His because He is the Maker and Sustainer of all. In Him all things hold together. He can call all things – material and immaterial – His own, because He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. He is God alone, and so holds authority over all.

So, when I notice beauty and goodness – all is His! He is worthy of my praise and thankfulness.

When I fear sin and its consequences have too strong a hold in this world – all is His! He is worthy of my trust that He can and will make all things right as He said He will. 

Admit

Admitting that all is the Lord’s reminds me that He is God and I am not. No one else and nothing else that I feel I must appease is at God’s level either. This admission kindly leads me and my control-loving self to repentance. I am set free knowing I am forgiven by the One who all sin is ultimately against, who sent Jesus for me.

So, when I am tempted to worry, scheme, and snatch at control – all is His! He who is infinite and loving holds all things – what need is there for me to try to grasp at false security?

When I feel powerless to fight my sin – all is His! He defeated death, why would I fear that the hold of sin is too strong for Him to overcome in me?

Ask

Asking God for anything and everything makes more sense when I remember all is His. I am not foolish to make my requests known to Him by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. I can cast all my cares on Him, and know He isn’t just well-meaning, but well-able to address each one. He invites me to ask. I know too, that He is generous. He who gave us His son will graciously give us all things. He promises to provide everything we need for a life that glorifies Him. He is the giver of every good gift.

So, when I ask Him for the intangible, like strength or wisdom – all is His! He gives freely, and without limit.

When I ask Him for things that feel silly or too late or too hard – all is His! He is not burdened by my requests, considering He spoke everything into being and also says to be as a little child, and to ask anything in His name.

Admire

Admiring God’s character and handiwork is natural when I remember all is His. I get to see the world, others, and myself differently when I see in light of His authority and authorship. I get to notice the streaked sunset clouds and not just compare them to a painter’s brushstroke but realize I’m watching as the God I know personally makes another masterpiece.

I also get to see how a friend has grown and rejoice that God is at work in someone He and I both love so much. I get to know that even that which doesn’t come from Him, like sin, is still within His purview to use and work for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 

So, when I admire God’s good work and long to be fruitful, too – all is His! Including the good work He’s planned in advance for me to do, participating with Him.

When I admire God’s goodness and wonder why life can’t all be so wonderful – all is His! His good and glorious plans for the future will come to pass!

---

(Honestly, there are too many Bible verses informing the phrase “all is His” for me to cite. So rather than citing them all, here’s a happy challenge: pick one of the sentences above and type some of the key words into Google with “Bible” added on. You’ll probably find a treasure trove of related verses to savor!)

Do you have a refrain you return to again and again in your walk with the Lord?