Your Daily Prayer

Hundreds of millions of Christians around the world live with the risk of persecution and violence. According to Open Doors, that number reached a record 388 million this year, including 201 million women and girls and 110 million children under the age of 15. For believers living in places without persecution, those numbers can feel distant, and it is easy to become absorbed in the demands of our own lives, cities, and countries. Hebrews 13:3 calls us to remember the prisoners as if chained with them, and to remember those who are mistreated, since we ourselves are in the body also. First Corinthians 12:26 explains why: if one part suffers, every part suffers with it. We are one body in Christ, which means the suffering of a believer on the other side of the world belongs to all of us. We may not know their names or the details of what they face, but God does. This episode is an invitation to stand with them in prayer, asking God to uphold them with His presence, to guard their hearts and minds, to protect their families, and to give them exactly what they need, whether that is strength, healing, faith, or joy. It is also a prayer that God would keep reminding us to pray, and that we would have the strength to endure if persecution ever comes to us. Bible Verse “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them, those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are in the body also.”— Hebrews 13:3, NKJV Ponder Today We are one body in Christ. When one part suffers, every part suffers with it. The persecuted church is not a distant cause. It is family. Remembering is an act of obedience. Hebrews 13:3 asks us to remember those who are suffering as if we were chained with them. Prayer is one of the most direct ways to do that. God knows what we do not. We cannot know every believer facing persecution or all they endure, but God sees each one. We can trust Him to meet them where they are. Pray for specific needs. Strength for the weary, healing for the hurting, faith for the doubting, joy for the sorrowful, and protection for their families. More than anything, pray that they would receive more of Jesus. Ask God to keep reminding you. It is easy to forget when our own lives feel full. Asking Him to bring the persecuted church to mind, even in the middle of the night, is a faithful and practical prayer. A Prayer for You Today Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that because of Your Son, Jesus, we have not only a Heavenly Father but spiritual brothers and sisters. We do not know all of them or all they are going through, but You do. Today we pray for our brothers and sisters who are facing persecution. May they feel Your presence and Your hands upholding them. Guard their hearts and minds, bring them the peace that surpasses all understanding, and watch over their families. If they are weary, give them strength. If they are hurting, give them healing. If they are doubting, give them faith. If they are sorrowful, give them joy. Give them more of Yourself. And Father, remind us to pray for them, even if it means waking us in the night. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Grief does not follow a straight line. Some years feel like an eternity, and other moments feel as though no time has passed at all. There are seasons when healing seems to be happening, and then a single memory can bring a person to tears. For those who struggle with complex grief, the loss never fully lifts, and the sense that a piece of you went with the person you loved can stay for a very long time. The anniversary of a loved one’s death often brings all of it back at once: the pain of the final days, and also the love, strength, and joy of the person who is missed. Isaiah 25:8 speaks directly into that tension with a promise rooted in the character of God: He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces. Death has already been defeated, and one day it will be completely eradicated. Revelation 21:4 describes the new heaven and new earth, where there will be no more crying, pain, mourning, or death, and where the Lord Himself will welcome us with His love. Whether a loved one has been gone for a year or for decades, grief and hope can exist side by side. The anniversary can become a day to remember a life that mattered, to cherish the memories, and to hold tightly to the sure promise of reunion. You will see them again, and until then, the God who collects every tear is near. Bible Verse “He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”— Isaiah 25:8, NIV Ponder Today Grief is not linear, and there is no deadline for it. Feeling better one day and undone the next is part of loving someone deeply. Anniversaries can reopen wounds, and that does not mean you have failed to heal. It is possible to carry both pain and gratitude on the same day. Remembering the hard final days and celebrating the life, love, and influence of the person you lost can happen together. Both are honest, and both honor them. Death has already been defeated. Isaiah 25:8 declares that God will swallow up death forever. The loss you feel is real, but it is not the final word. God sees and will wipe away every tear. He is not distant from your grief. Revelation 21:4 promises a day with no more crying, pain, or mourning, and until then He draws near to the brokenhearted. Reunion is a sure promise for those in Christ. Whether your loved one has been gone a year or decades, you can take heart. You will see them again, and that hope makes room for rejoicing even in the middle of sorrow. A Prayer for You Today Dear Jesus, I am approaching the anniversary of the death of my loved one. The pain is overwhelming at times, and even after all this time, I still miss them. Their smile, voice, and laughter fill my heart to the point that tears rise in my eyes. How I long to see them again, Lord. Please bring my soul peace as I navigate this difficult season. I will reflect on our wonderful memories and cherish the time we shared. Encourage my heart to remember that I will see my loved one again. You have defeated death, and one day all will be made right. Thank You for giving us this sure promise, Lord. In Your name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Chaos has a way of showing up in the body before the mind admits it. The constant bracing for impact, the sense of being in the spin cycle with a box of rocks, the panic that follows close behind and quietly steals peace and, over time, hope. Many people feel that the level of chaos inside and around them has never been higher, and the weight of carrying it all settles deep into the soul. First Corinthians 14:33 offers an anchor: God is not a God of confusion but of peace. That truth outlasts whatever is happening around us. We may be experiencing a shipwreck, but we do not have to go down with the ship, because the Holy Spirit is a life preserver within reach. Calming the chaos is doable, and it begins with deliberate choices. Slow down, because life is not an emergency. Turn off the news. Pay attention to the stories you tell yourself, since inside voices become viewpoints, and viewpoints out of line with what God says create internal chaos. Rest the way butterflies rest when it rains. Release what cannot be changed, recalibrate your pace, and remember that not every request deserves a yes. Shift from “I have to” to “I get to.” Take one step at a time, and ask for help, because that is wisdom and not weakness. Paul wrote a theological discourse from a dark, damp prison, which means peace is available even in the hardest conditions. Bible Verse “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”— 1 Corinthians 14:33, ESV Ponder Today God is greater than all your inner and outer chaos combined. Circumstances may feel overwhelming, but the truth about who God is outlasts the facts of whatever you are going through. You are the sentry of your own soul. What you allow in, from constant news to replayed memories, shapes your peace. Guarding your soul is not selfish. It is essential. The stories you tell yourself matter more than you think. When your inner narrative is out of line with what God says, chaos follows. Bring your viewpoints back into line with His truth. Rest is not a luxury, even in the storm. Butterflies rest when it rains. Taking a break, a nap, or a vacation is a faithful response to chaos, not a failure to cope. Take one step at a time and ask for support. God does not show the whole picture for a reason. One piece of the puzzle is enough for today, and the Holy Spirit and the people God has placed in your life are there to help. A Prayer for You Today Father God, we thank You that You are not a God of confusion, and that chaos is not what You want for our lives. Your peace is our inheritance, and we are grateful that You have given us many ways to calm chaos within and without. May we seek Your wisdom in how to do that in every chaotic moment we experience. In Your mighty name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Election Day carries a weight that can feel overwhelming — especially when discouragement over past elections, concern about outside influence on outcomes, and the sheer volume of political messaging make it tempting to disengage entirely. But for Christians, withdrawing our voice only creates space for outcomes that grieve the heart of God. Our votes are one of the ways we can let our convictions as believers shape the direction of the nation and its future generations. Proverbs 16:33 anchors the whole conversation in an important truth: the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. That does not remove our responsibility to vote thoughtfully and faithfully — it grounds our participation in the confidence that God is sovereign over every outcome. President Calvin Coolidge once wrote that voters should approach the ballot box in the spirit they would approach a sacrament, making their choices solely in the light of their own conscience. That is the invitation of this episode: to approach voting not as a partisan exercise or a reaction to political advertising and peer pressure, but as an act of worship and faithfulness. Five biblical principles provide a framework for that preparation — studying God’s Word to discern His voice, honoring God in every decision, supporting the value of life, seeking justice for all, and standing for the freedom that God gives to every person. When we prepare our hearts this way, the voting booth becomes less about political allegiance and more about faithfully reflecting what God has already spoken. Bible Verse “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”— Proverbs 16:33, NIV Ponder Today God is sovereign over every election outcome — and that is both a comfort and a call to faithfulness. Our responsibility is to vote thoughtfully, grounded in Scripture and conscience. The results belong to Him. Withdrawing our voice does not protect us from outcomes — it contributes to them. Discouragement over past election issues is understandable, but withholding our votes only creates space for what we do not support. Faithful participation matters. Studying God’s Word is the most important preparation for voting well. When our hearts and minds are tuned to Scripture, we are better equipped to discern what is right and true — and to recognize the difference between God’s voice and political persuasion. Voting in the light of conscience, not pressure, is a sacred act. Calvin Coolidge’s counsel to approach the ballot box as a sacrament remains worth considering. Our votes should reflect our deepest convictions, not the most recent advertisement or social pressure. Biblical principles — life, justice, freedom, honoring God — provide a framework for faithful voting. When we filter the issues before us through these lenses, the choices become less about party and more about reflecting God’s heart for people and nations. A Prayer for You Today Dear Father, as I go to vote on Election Day, lead and guide me in choosing which individuals to vote for and how to vote on the various issues and policies presented to me. Help me to study and know Your Word so that I know Your voice when I hear it and it directs my voting. Embolden me to honor You with my votes, choosing in ways that please You. Strengthen my heart to uphold the importance of valuing life. Give me a heart that seeks justice for all — both the weak and the strong — and open my eyes to see what is right and wrong, true and false, good and evil. Help me to stand for righteousness and the freedom You give to each life on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most of us know what it is to have a mind worn out from turning an issue over a million times — praying and weighing options, making lists, brainstorming, and still finding only closed doors. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a passage many of us learn early, but its weight tends to land differently in adulthood when the stakes are real. Solomon wrote it as a father to his son, knowing his son would be walking into an unpredictable future. The word “lean” carries particular weight: lean not on your own understanding means do not put even a little of your weight on it — not the way you rest a hand lightly on a surface, but the way you would lean on a stair rail expecting it to hold you. Our own understanding simply will not hold when the path ahead is foggy and the news is hard. What God is asking of us in those moments is not that we know the way. He is asking us to know Him. He rarely reveals the whole path in advance — perhaps because we could not handle even the knowledge of what lies ahead. But He promises to make the path straight. That is what we can lean on fully. If you could use some words to pray through closed doors, I wrote Praying Through Life's Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith for you. You can order it now at battleprayers.com. Until next time, remember, God sees you, hears you, and He knows your needs. Bible Verse “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”— Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV Ponder Today Knowing what is coming does not always make it easier to receive. Preparation softens some things, but it cannot remove the weight of sitting through a hard moment and hearing the news made real. God meets us in that exact place. “Lean not on your own understanding” means not even a little. The image is not of lightly resting a hand on something uncertain. It is of not putting any weight on it at all — because our own understanding will not hold us when the path ahead is unclear. God is not asking us to know the way — He is asking us to know Him. When the fog rolls in and the path disappears, the invitation is not to figure it out faster or try harder. It is to deepen our relationship with the One who does know the way and has promised to make it straight. God rarely reveals the whole path in advance — and that may be a mercy. We are often not equipped to handle the full knowledge of what lies ahead. He reveals what we need, when we need it, and that is enough. Our own understanding will not hold us up when the hard moment comes — only God can do that. All the calculations and determinations we make in advance have their limits. Leaning fully on God is not a last resort. It is the only foundation that actually holds. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, I have turned this issue over in my mind a million times, and I am tired of trying to figure out what comes next. I confess that I have been leaning on my own understanding, and it is wearing me out. Thank You for not requiring me to figure it all out. You have asked me to trust You with all my heart, and I want to do that today. Even when the news does not surprise me, it still hurts. Thank You that I can grieve the pain of an ending and yet trust You for the road ahead. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Family gatherings are some of the richest places for hearing stories — and when multiple generations come together, those stories become a living testimony to the faithfulness of God across time. A grandparent’s prayer answered after many years. A teenager met with exactly the encouragement needed in a crisis. A family member who broke a long cycle of unhealthy behavior through God’s restoring work. A reconciliation that seemed impossible. These are not small things. They are the mighty acts, wonderful works, and glorious splendor that Psalm 145 calls every generation to tell the next. God’s faithfulness does not begin with us and it does not end with us. He was present and at work long before we arrived, and He will continue long after our earthly lives are over. When we listen to the stories of those who came before us, we discover a God who was just as close and just as faithful to them as He is to us today. And when we share our own stories with the generation coming after us, we build bridges for them to find hope in the same God. The holiday season and family gatherings offer a particular and valuable opportunity for exactly this kind of storytelling — not just as a pleasant tradition, but as an act of faithful worship. One generation commending God’s works to another, together telling a story too large for any one life to contain, weaving individual threads into a masterpiece that spans all of history. Bible Verse “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”— Psalm 145:4, NIV Ponder Today God’s story is bigger than any one generation’s experience of it. His faithfulness before we were born and after we are gone is part of the same continuous work. Hearing the stories of those who came before us expands our understanding of who He is. Family storytelling is an act of worship. When we share how God came through for us, we are doing exactly what Psalm 145 calls the generations to do — commending His works so that others can find hope and inspiration in the same God. Every generation has a unique angle on God’s faithfulness. Seniors carry lessons learned over decades. Younger adults carry fresh evidence of answered prayer. Children carry the simple, uncluttered experience of God’s love. Together, the picture is richer than any one perspective alone. God is big enough to rule the universe and close enough to care about the details. The same God who parted the Red Sea is the One who met a teenager with exactly the encouragement needed in a crisis. Both are worthy of telling, and both belong in the family story. We are called to be faithful storytellers for the generations coming after us. The people who told us about God’s goodness helped us find our way to Him. The stories we share now are building the same bridge for someone else. A Prayer for You Today Dear God, I am in awe of how big Your story really is, across generations and throughout history. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own little corner of the world that I forget You have been faithful for many years before I was born and will be faithful for many years after my earthly life is over. Thank You for the wonderful ways You never stop showing up in our lives to guide us, encourage us, and meet our needs. Help me discover Your wonderful work every day — in my own life and in the lives of my family members. Help me to be a faithful storyteller. Give me the words to share Your mighty acts, glorious splendor, and wonderful works with the people in my life. Let them see through my stories that You are just as powerful and loving today as You have always been. Thank You for weaving our lives together into a masterpiece that spans all of time. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Martin Luther understood darkness before he understood light. A thunderstorm in 1505 drove him to his knees with a desperate bargain to God, and that crisis became a conversion. But even after committing his life to serving God, Luther felt perpetually undeserving. No amount of effort, confession, or self-affliction seemed adequate to justify him before a holy God — until Romans 1:17 broke open everything. The just shall live by faith. That single revelation, received through the study of God’s Word, unlocked what no amount of striving could produce. And what Luther did with that light is one of history’s most remarkable stories of one person’s obedience changing the world — translating the Bible into German, making God’s Word accessible to ordinary people, helping usher in the Reformation and the birth of the Protestant Church. He was only one man. But he let the light shine, and countless lives were transformed as a result. Reformation Day is a reminder that the same calling belongs to each of us — not to be remarkable in the world’s eyes, but to be courageous enough to let God’s light shine through us into whatever darkness surrounds us. Bible Verse “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”— Matthew 5:16, NIV Ponder Today We are called to let God’s light shine through us — not to generate our own. The source is God. Our role is not to manufacture brightness but to remove whatever is blocking His light from shining through us into the world around us. Salvation comes through faith, not through the accumulation of enough righteous deeds. Luther’s breakthrough in Romans 1:17 is the same truth that sets every striving, self-afflicting believer free. The just shall live by faith — not by performance, not by effort, not by doing enough. One person, fully surrendered to God’s light, can change the world. Luther was one man who translated a Bible and nailed a document to a door. The Reformation followed. Our sphere may be smaller, but the principle is the same — faithfulness to the light we carry has ripple effects we cannot see. Courage to let the light shine sometimes means risking reputation. Luther stood before emperors and princes and refused to recant. Most of us will not face that kind of test, but every believer faces smaller versions of it — moments where shining God’s light costs us something. God’s Word is the instrument through which light breaks through darkness. It was Scripture that opened Luther’s eyes. It is still Scripture that transforms lives today. Making God’s Word accessible and sharing it faithfully is one of the most powerful things we can do. A Prayer for You Today Dear Father, help me today on Reformation Day and every day to let Your glorious light shine through me into a dark world. Strengthen and embolden me as You did Martin Luther, to be courageous enough to risk my reputation if necessary to share Your gracious gift of salvation with a lost world. Remove all hindrances that keep me from proclaiming that the just shall live by faith. Fill me with the power and fullness of Your Holy Spirit so that I might go out into a lost world as a beacon shining brightly to all I meet. Shine Your light through me from this very moment on, in everything I do, so that You, O Lord, might be glorified. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Four months out from scoliosis surgery, one month before a son’s wedding, and nowhere near where recovery was supposed to be by now. The vision of dancing the night away in joyful celebration had quietly given way to the reality of significant physical limitation. And the question that settled in underneath the disappointment was a familiar and honest one: what good could possibly come from this? Joseph’s answer to that question, spoken to the brothers who had sold him into slavery and left him for dead, is one of the most stunning declarations of God’s sovereignty in all of Scripture. After years in a pit, in prison, falsely accused, and forgotten — he looked at the people who had meant him harm and said: you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish the saving of many lives. And then he asked the question that reframes everything: am I in the place of God? He was not asking rhetorically. He was acknowledging something profound — that every place he had been, including the pit and the prison, was precisely where God had him. He was always in the place of God. That perspective did not make the suffering lighter while it was happening. But it produced a peace in the process that would have been impossible without it. That same perspective is available in every disappointing, uncomfortable, and confusing season — not because we can always see the purpose, but because we know the One who holds it. Whether the good is for us now, for us later, or for someone else entirely, it is always good. We are always in the place of God. If you enjoy this episode, check out Keri's latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. Bible Verse “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”— Genesis 50:20, NIV Ponder Today We are always in the place of God — in the pit, in the prison, and in the unexpected limitation. Joseph’s declaration was not that his suffering was good, but that God had purposeful placement in every single location his life took him. That same truth extends to every season we find ourselves in. God’s good purpose does not always reveal itself in the moment. Joseph could not have seen from the pit what God was building toward. The good was real, but it was not yet visible. The same is likely true of circumstances that currently feel purposeless or disappointing. Holding onto truth written down and kept in plain sight is a practical act of faith. In a long season of recovery and disappointment, having Joseph’s words visible daily made a tangible difference. What we keep before our eyes shapes what we are able to believe in hard moments. Whether the good is for us now, for us later, or for someone else entirely, it is all for good. Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20 together paint a picture of a God whose redemptive purposes extend beyond our individual timeline and touch lives we may never know about. Godly perspective in suffering produces peace in the process. Joseph did not wait until the reunion with his brothers to find peace. The perspective that God had good purposes shaped how he endured every season before the resolution came. A Prayer for You Today Lord God, You are the author of all good things, and everything You are doing in my life is leading toward Your good and perfect plan. But the truth is, it does not always seem good in the moment. My current circumstances often feel really uncomfortable, and I cannot imagine how they could be purposeful. But Your Word promises and reveals that You have a great purpose no matter where You have me — including this very moment, in my very situation, just as it is. Help me trust You in this season. Help me see Your goodness and light in the shadows of life. I know You never stop shining in and through each of my days, and I praise You for that. You are so faithful, so good, and I love You so much. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Standing in a kitchen on a normal Thursday morning, cordless phone in hand, ready to dial a familiar number — and then realizing, mid-reach, that Mom would not be picking up. She no longer lived on this planet. The sorrow of it washed over again, fresh and heavy. Heaven was certain, the reunion was coming, but time stood as a strong enemy between that moment and the promise. The distance between what had been and what would be felt like a thick darkness with no way to see through it. Romans 8:24-25 holds something that is counterintuitive but deeply true: hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? We often think that if we could just catch a glimpse of God’s good plan, just see something on the horizon, then we would finally have hope. Paul tells us it works the other way around. Real hope is exactly the kind that cannot be seen yet. It is the kind that sits with you in the dark, in the ordinary breaks of everyday life, when what you are waiting for is something you cannot hurry or fix. And the sense we need most in that darkness is not a glimpse of the timeline. It is the sense of His presence. Jesus does not wait at the other end of the darkness with hope in hand. He stands right next to us in the kitchen, in the middle of the moment, reminding us that we are never alone. Waiting is not a sign that He has forgotten. Waiting is the very place where He shows up so we can come to know Him more deeply. If you could use a boost to help your heart through challenges, pick up a copy of Praying Through Life's Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith. Order it now at battleprayers.com. Bible Verse “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”— Romans 8:25, NIV Ponder Today Real hope is defined by what cannot yet be seen — not by what can. Paul’s logic is clear: if you already have it, you do not need hope. The kind of hope that carries us through darkness is the kind that holds on to what has not yet arrived. Waiting is not a sign that God has forgotten — it is where He shows up most deeply. The gap between what was and what will be is not empty. It is the very place where God meets us and makes Himself known in ways that easier seasons cannot produce. The sense we need most in the dark is the sense of His presence. Not a timeline, not proof of what lies ahead, not a glimpse of resolution — just the deep, settled knowing that Jesus is here and will never leave or forsake us. Hope is not off in the distance — it stands right next to us in the ordinary moments. It is not waiting at the end of the tunnel. It is present in the kitchen, in the break in the day, in the moment when grief arrives unexpectedly and reminds us of what we are still waiting for. Darkness does not mean hope has failed — it means hope is doing exactly what it was designed to do. Hope that only functions in the light is not the biblical kind. The hope Paul describes in Romans 8 is specifically made for the dark. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, You understand the weight of this moment I am holding. Though heaven feels far away, You are with me in the everyday moments of life. I confess that in the darkness, all I want is to see — light on a timeline, proof of what lies ahead. When I cannot see that, I think hope has failed. But waiting is not a sign that You have forgotten me. Waiting is the very place where You have shown up so I can come to know You more deeply. Help me, Lord, to sense that You are here. I do not need all the answers today. I simply need to trust You in the dark and hold on to the hope You alone can offer. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Twenty years of motherhood brings a lot of reflection — on the laundry done and the meals prepared and the clean dishes and the fridge kept full, none of which earned applause. On the truths about Jesus taught, the prayers prayed over specific situations, the devotionals sometimes squeezed in and sometimes missed. On the quiet, persistent work of raising children that happens largely without an audience and without anyone keeping score. The role of serving a family can feel unseen, unnoticed, and unimportant — and yet it is some of the most significant work a person can do. John 13 offers one of the most striking pictures of what this kind of service looks like in the kingdom of God. Jesus, knowing His time on earth was ending, got up from the table during the last meal with His disciples, wrapped a towel around His waist, and washed their feet — one of the lowest jobs a servant could perform. He was their teacher and their Lord. No one expected this of Him. He did it anyway. Then He explained: I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. He saw a need and filled a need, without waiting for someone else to do it and without using His status as a reason to opt out. That is the picture of how families can function in the kingdom of God — noticing the unseen needs, meeting them without being asked, serving when no one is watching, and understanding that when we do it with our whole hearts, even the most mundane household task becomes an act of worship offered to the Lord. Bible Verse “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”— Joshua 24:15, NIV Ponder Today Serving the unseen needs of a home is some of the most significant work available to us. No one may keep track of the laundry or the clean dishes or the patient teaching, but God sees every act of faithful service offered within the walls of a home. Jesus modeled servant leadership by doing the lowest job in the room without being asked. He did not use His status as a reason to opt out. He saw a need, He filled it, and then He told His disciples to do the same. That example belongs in our homes. Serving when no one is watching is one of the most formative things we can teach our children. Recognizing a need and meeting it before being asked, doing a job that is not technically yours, putting someone else first — these habits are shaped by what children observe, not just what they are told. Even mundane household chores can become acts of worship. Colossians 3:23 does not limit wholehearted work to impressive or visible tasks. Whatever we do — for our families, in our homes — can be done as if doing it for the Lord. When we fall short, God fills the gaps. Perfect parenting and perfect service are not the standard. Faithful showing up, honest repentance when we get it wrong, and trusting God to work in the spaces where we fell short — that is the grace available to every imperfect servant in every imperfect home. A Prayer for You Today Lord, thank You for our home and for every soul who lives in it. We long to honor You, serve You, and shine Your light within our walls. Help each member of our family to recognize the needs around them — the ones easily seen and the ones hidden — and to take ownership of their responsibilities while also striving to help one another. Help us to serve in love, valuing others above ourselves and not looking to our own interests first. Help us recognize that even mundane household chores can be acts of worship that glorify Your name. Help us notice what needs to be done and do it, even when no one is watching. And when we act selfishly or put our own interests above everything else, humble us. I long for my home to be one of grace and humility. Teach us to serve one another joyfully, knowing that when we serve our family, we are also serving You. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.