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Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christians
Your Nightly PrayerYour Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio.com and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.
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Holding Space for Quiet Worship
December 13, 2025 - 5 min
In elementary school, teachers occasionally dimmed the lights, held a finger to their lips, and offered the class a few moments of silence—time to settle down, breathe, and refocus. In those quiet minutes, details otherwise overlooked suddenly became noticeable: the soft wind through a cracked window, the way sunlight bounced off the whiteboard. Silence created space to see clearly again. Mary modeled this same kind of intentional stillness. After the shepherds rushed in to witness the newborn Christ—speaking of angels, glories, and good news—Mary didn’t rush past the moment. She gathered up the words, the wonder, and the weight of what God was doing, and she treasured them. She pondered, savored, and held them close. Luke later tells us she did this again when Jesus was older (Luke 2:51). This season is busy for many of us. Our calendars fill quickly, our thoughts scatter, and our attention is often pulled in countless directions. Yet the invitation of Christmas remains the same:Slow down.Make room.Be still long enough to treasure what God has done. Just a few moments of silence can become sacred space—a pause in which we turn our attention toward Christ, consider the wonder of His coming, and let our hearts respond in worship. In the quiet, we notice again the miracle we might otherwise rush past: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people… a Savior has been born to you." — Luke 2:10–11 Like Mary, may we choose to hold space for quiet worship, intentionally pondering God’s goodness and grace. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."— Luke 2:19 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Father,You sent angels into the night sky to proclaim good news to humble shepherds. Help me, too, to pause in the midst of my busyness and reflect on the wonder of Your grace. Thank You for sending Jesus—born as a humble child, yet the Savior of the world. Teach me to quiet my heart, to treasure Your Word, and to worship You in the stillness of this night.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Treasuring God’s Word:Think of a memory box or photo album—items carefully stored and revisited with affection. How might this image help you understand what it means to treasure spiritual truth in your heart? Your Calmest Moment of the Day:What time of day naturally slows your spirit—morning, evening, or sometime in between? How could you intentionally use that time for stillness and quiet worship? A Song of Wonder:Choose a song that stirs awe in your heart—whether a worship song or a Christmas hymn. How could this be a starting point to reflect on Christ’s coming or His promised return? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Joy of Giving
December 12, 2025 - 4 min
Most of us learned Acts 20:35 as children: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Back then, it sounded like good manners or a moral lesson—something parents said when encouraging us to share. As children, receiving felt like the real prize. Gifts, attention, affection—those were the things that felt meaningful, tangible, exciting. Giving, however, often felt like sacrifice, like losing something.But time has a way of reshaping our understanding. Through relationships, disappointments, parenting, ministry, and simple everyday moments of helping others, we begin to see the truth of this Scripture come alive: giving isn’t loss at all. It's multiplication. Giving multiplies joy, purpose, and connection. It shifts our focus from ourselves to something bigger—reflecting the very heart of God. Every act of giving mirrors the nature and character of Christ. While receiving teaches humility and gratitude, giving—especially when it costs us something—forms us into His likeness. It stretches us. It reorients our priorities. It teaches us to love as Jesus loved: sacrificially, generously, with eternity in mind. The pleasure of receiving fades quickly.But the joy of giving endures. This is why Jesus could confidently say that giving brings a deeper blessing. The blessing isn’t just in the act—it’s in who we become when we give. Like Jesus, the greatest giver of all time, we are shaped into people whose lives spill over with grace. TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE "And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”— Acts 20:35 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Dear Jesus,It truly is better to give than to receive. Everything I have ever been given is because of your goodness. Help me never forget that truth. Shape my heart to reflect yours—a heart that gives freely, humbly, and sacrificially. Let my life echo your generosity and bring joy to those around me.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON Does my life reflect the truth of Acts 20:35? Am I practicing sacrificial giving—the kind that costs me something yet forms me spiritually? What one intentional act of giving can I offer this week to reflect Christ to someone around me? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When You Feel Forgotten
December 11, 2025 - 6 min
The sanctuary is full—every seat taken, voices rising, lights twinkling—and yet somehow, you feel alone. You feel unseen. You feel forgotten. It’s a strange ache, isn’t it? To be surrounded by people, beauty, and celebration, while quietly wrestling with the thought that God is holding everyone else close except you. Pain has a way of twisting our perception, making us believe God’s nearness is meant for others but not for us. I’ve been there more times than I can count. Seasons of grief, uncertainty, and emotional heaviness can convince us that perhaps God has turned His face toward someone more worthy, someone stronger, someone holier. And yet, when I take a breath and ground myself in Scripture, I remember something truer than my feelings:God cannot forget me. God cannot forget you. Isaiah 49:16 gives us one of the most intimate images in all of Scripture:“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Not written in ink.Not penciled in lightly.Engraved.Carved. Permanent. Unlosable. Engraving is deliberate. Painstaking. Permanent.God chose an image that reminds us—no circumstance, no silence, no sorrow can erase the nearness of His love. You may feel invisible, but you are fully seen.You may feel forgotten, but you are held.You may feel lost in the swirl of the season, but His eyes are always on you. Christmas is the greatest proof of this promise.The God who engraved you on His hands also sent His Son into the world—God in flesh, God with us—to ensure you would never walk alone. The same hands that stretched over a manger and later stretched out on a cross carry your name in everlasting love. Tonight, let this truth settle deeper than your emotions:You are remembered. You are known. You are held in the very hands of God. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."— Isaiah 49:16 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Lord,Remind me this Christmas season, and always, that I am never forgotten. Anchor my heart in the truth of your Word, not in the confusion of my thoughts. When I feel invisible—even in crowded rooms—whisper to my soul that I am engraved on the palms of your hands. Let this truth steady me, comfort me, and draw me near.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON A moment you recently felt unseen or forgotten.When you revisit that moment with clearer perspective, can you notice ways God was present—even if you didn’t sense Him at the time? Sit quietly each day—near a candle, a cross, or simple holiday lights—and repeat Isaiah 49:16:“I am engraved on His hands. He came for me.”Let this truth gently replace feelings of invisibility. Trace your hand and write the names of those you entrust to God’s care.As you pray over them, remember: if their names—and yours—are held by God, they are never forgotten. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The Humility of Heaven
December 10, 2025 - 6 min
On May 6, 2023, King Charles III was officially inaugurated as the King of the United Kingdom. The ceremony was extravagant—100 heads of state, representatives from over 200 countries, thousands in attendance, and a price tag exceeding $90 million. When we think of kingship, this is the picture that comes to mind: splendor, grandeur, and overwhelming displays of honor. Now consider this: How does such earthly grandeur compare to the humble arrival of the King of Kings? When you examine the life of Jesus, one word rises above all others: humility. He entered the world not in luxury, but in a stable—surrounded by animals and unnoticed by society. He grew up in Nazareth, a town so insignificant that Nathanael once asked, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” He lived among ordinary people, walked dusty roads, and later rode into Jerusalem not on a majestic warhorse, but on a donkey. Even in His death, Jesus chose the most humiliating form—a criminal’s cross. What makes this so astonishing is that Jesus is God.He created the world He stepped into.He formed the very ground His infant body rested upon.He commanded heaven’s armies, yet allowed Himself to be wrapped in swaddling clothes. If anyone deserved a royal entrance with unmatched splendor, it was Him. And yet, He chose humility—for one reason: love. Jesus lowered Himself to lift us up. He emptied Himself so He could rescue us. His humility wasn’t weakness—it was the deepest expression of His character and His mission. But Philippians reminds us that Jesus’ humility is not merely something to admire; it is something we are called to imitate. In a world obsessed with recognition, achievement, and personal rights, the call of Christ is radically countercultural. We are invited to lay aside entitlement, pride, and self-importance so we can serve. True greatness is not measured by status or power, but by a heart willing to love at any cost. This Christmas season, may the humility of Jesus shape our attitudes, soften our hearts, and transform how we see others. The greatest King chose the lowest place—and in doing so, revealed the heart of heaven. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE "He made himself nothing… being made in human likeness."— Philippians 2:7 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Lord,It is easy to become focused on myself—my rights, my desires, my expectations. Help me fix my eyes instead on the humility of Jesus. Let His example reshape my attitude and my actions. Remove any entitlement within me and replace it with a servant’s heart. Reveal the places where I do not reflect Your character, and change me so I can love and serve as Christ did.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Genuine humility is seen when someone has power or authority but uses it to serve others, not themselves. Greatness in God’s kingdom is measured not by status, but by selfless obedience and love. The mindset of Christ means choosing to lift others up, even when it costs you something. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Christ, Our Hope
December 9, 2025 - 6 min
Amid the commercial noise, the crowded schedules, and the pressure that often surrounds the Christmas season, it is easy to lose sight of what we are truly celebrating. At the heart of Christmas is hope—the birth of the One who came to redeem, restore, and reconcile us to God. Jesus is not just a source of hope; He is our only hope. He is the divine light breaking into the world’s deep darkness, fulfilling every promise spoken by the prophets. Long before Bethlehem, God announced His plan: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel."— Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel means “God with us.” Not distant. Not abstract. Not theoretical. God with us. Imagine the shepherds—social outcasts, considered unimportant by society—keeping watch on an ordinary night. Suddenly, their silence is interrupted by the glory of heaven: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people… Today… a Savior has been born to you."— Luke 2:10–11 God chose the lowly to first hear this announcement. Their hope, and ours, arrived quietly in a manger but powerfully in purpose. The birth of Jesus demonstrates a truth we often forget: God always fulfills His promises, even when the wait is long and the path is unexpected. The hope Jesus brings is not temporary or fragile. It does not depend on circumstances, emotions, or achievements. This is hope that heals broken hearts, steadies anxious minds, and anchors our souls in something everlasting. The Holy Spirit fills us with this hope—so much so that it can overflow into the lives of others. As we celebrate Christ’s birth, we are invited to let His light shine in us and through us, offering the hope we have received to a world in need. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."— Romans 15:13 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Glorious Father in heaven,Thank You for the incredible hope You have given us in Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for the gift of His birth and for the mercy and grace this season represents. Forgive me when I become consumed by busyness and forget the eternal hope You have provided. Fill me again so that Your hope overflows from my heart into every part of my life.In the holy, precious name of Jesus I pray,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Where do you go when the season overwhelms you?Turn back to the Lord, who alone provides true rest for your weary soul (Psalm 62:5). Hope is not dependent on circumstances.Because the Holy Spirit lives within you, your hope and peace can overflow—even when life is full (Romans 15:13). Keep the first thing first.Fix your eyes on what we truly celebrate this season. Jesus is your peace in every storm (Mark 4:39). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Preparing Him Room
December 8, 2025 - 6 min
Life can so easily become overcrowded. Our minds fill with responsibilities, worries, expectations, and noise. Even the beautiful parts of life seem to get buried beneath the louder, more frantic ones—fear, distraction, and the relentless pressure to keep up. Each day brings a new list of tasks to complete. Work makes the list. Family makes the list. Errands, appointments, commitments—all make the list. But often the two most vital things do not make the list: ourselves and God. We live in a world that applauds speed, productivity, and constant striving. Yet those very expectations slowly steal the sacred space meant for meeting with Jesus. Isaiah 40:3 calls us to clear the clutter, to make a straight path for God in the wilderness of our busy lives. Chelsea reminds us that this isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention.It begins with a simple invitation:God, meet me in the places I’ve neglected. The places crowded with noise.The places blocked by self-made barriers.The places where worldly goals have overshadowed spiritual ones. In the quiet moments—like this one—God meets us. He reminds us that our hearts, our time, and our attention are holy ground. And with His help, we can reorder our priorities, quiet the noise, and make room for Him again. Tonight is an opportunity to release the chaos, breathe deeply, and prepare room in our hearts for the One who brings peace to the storm. Isaiah 40:3 is more than a prophecy; it is a personal call:Clear a path for God. Welcome Him into every crowded and overlooked place. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE "Make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God."— Isaiah 40:3 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Lord,Help me remove the things that get in the way of You and Your glory. Quiet the noise in my mind and the distractions in my heart. Help me let go of resentment and guilt. Support me as I work to simplify my priorities, always keeping You at the top. When I become preoccupied or overwhelmed, remind me that the best room in my heart is the one prepared for You.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Where did distraction keep you from what mattered this week?Consider how you can pause sooner and choose faith, presence, and connection over noise. What can you simplify?Create intentional space for God—through quiet, Scripture, prayer, or worship. What emotional burdens are stealing space meant for God?Identify guilt, resentment, or heaviness you need to surrender to His peace. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Christ Came for the Weary
December 7, 2025 - 6 min
Exhaustion doesn’t just drain the body—it drains the will. As Clarence describes from his week of disrupted sleep and long hours, fatigue has a way of turning even the strongest resolve into quiet surrender. The phrase “fatigue makes cowards of us all” becomes painfully true when our strength is depleted, and every step forward feels heavier than the last. Perhaps your weariness looks different. Maybe you have been searching for a job with no success.Maybe you’ve poured yourself into your ministry or business, seeing little fruit.Maybe you’ve prayed faithfully, waiting for God’s answer, yet the silence continues. Weariness, in all its forms, is familiar to every believer. What we sometimes forget—especially during the Christmas season—is that Christ came for the weary. He came to lift the burden of sin, yes, but also to strengthen those weighed down by the pressures and disappointments of life. Isaiah reminds us that Jesus gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. His power flows most fully when we openly admit our weakness. The beauty of God’s strength is that it does not appear when we are at our best—it appears when we finally confess we can’t keep going on our own. Acknowledging our inability positions us perfectly to receive His ability. So while this season may tell us to hold everything together, Jesus gently says the opposite:You don’t have to.You don’t need to rely on your own strength.You can come to Him exactly as you are—tired, weak, worn—and He will restore you. When you lean on Christ, you’ll find enough strength for today, and enough hope to believe you can rise again tomorrow. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”— Isaiah 40:29 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Lord,I’m tired. I’m tired of waiting, tired of fighting, and sometimes tired of praying. I come to You tonight because I need Your strength. I acknowledge that I cannot do this on my own. Restore me. Lift me out of my weakness and give me the strength I lack. Thank You that I can be honest before You and that Your power is always available when I call. I rest tonight knowing You have heard my prayer.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Don’t apologize for your weakness.Your weakness is the doorway through which God’s strength enters. Christ’s restoration is limitless.Go back to Him again and again—His strength never runs out. You never have to pretend.He sees your true condition and meets you with compassion, not disappointment. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Changing the World One Gift at a Time This Christmas with Samaritan's Purse
December 6, 2025 - 46 min
What if the greatest gift you give your kids this Christmas is a heart of generosity—and the chance to change someone else’s world? This episode goes beyond stockings and wrapping paper to tackle one of the most pressing questions for believers during the holiday season: How do we practically teach our children the virtue of generosity, not just for the holidays, but for a lifetime—and in a way that makes a true, eternal difference? Answer: Plant seeds of generosity in your family with Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Gift Catalog, a unique way for families to give gifts that can transform lives around the globe. Browse the catalog and get involved at www.samaritanspurse.org/parent. Catherine welcomes Kristy Graham, host of the On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse podcast and wife to Edward Graham, part of the legacy family behind this renowned global relief ministry. With firsthand experience raising four children and witnessing God’s faithfulness in some of the most challenging corners of the globe, Kristy brings unmatched insight and compassion to this timely discussion. Editor's Note: This is a bonus feed drop in partnership with Samaritan's Purse. Our regular schedule for Your Nightly Prayer will resume this evening. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Transformative Giving - The Samaritan's Purse Christmas Gift Catalog: Learn how families can open a new kind of catalog—one offering goats, honeybees, water filters, heart surgeries, and more—to provide desperately needed gifts to people across the globe. Real Stories, Real Impact: Kristy recounts emotional, hope-filled stories: families in Iraq whose lives are remade by a simple beehive; a mother shattered by tragedy in need of purpose and dignity, restored by a brood of baby chicks; and the power of a $9 donation to feed a hungry infant and spark the hope of the Gospel for a mother who feels forgotten. Generosity That Changes Hearts—Including Our Own: Discover practical ways to involve your kids in picking out gifts, writing cards for teachers in someone’s honor, or pairing a meaningful donation with something tangible. Biblical Parallels: Kristy and Catherine share how the work of Samaritan’s purse brings to life the stories of Ruth, who gleaned what benevolent benefactors left for those less fortunate, and Hagar, who met the God who saw her need. Seeds of the Gospel: Every gift given through Samaritan’s Purse meets physical needs—and intentionally opens doors for the life-changing message of Christ. Whether it’s a water well, a jar of honey, or a vital medical procedure, these gifts become vehicles for sharing hope and introducing recipients to the God who truly sees them. Call to Action: This Christmas, will your family give a gift that extends beyond your home?Explore life-changing opportunities at samaritanspurse.org/parent as a family, and ask your kids: “How can we be part of God’s story of hope this Christmas?”Let your generosity become a legacy of faith, planting seeds for eternity. Episode Links: Samaritan’s Purse Gift Catalog: www.samaritanspurse.org/parent On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse Podcast Catherine's Resources for Christian Parents About the guest: Kristy Graham hosts On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, a show she launched in 2019 to highlight God’s faithfulness through the ministry’s work. Each week, she brings listeners close to the stories of staff and the people they serve—always pointing hearts to Christ. From missionary doctors in Kenya to military couples in Alaska to families receiving new homes after disasters, Kristy loves witnessing Samaritan’s Purse in action. At home, she and her husband, Edward, are raising their four children in the mountains of North Carolina. Parents, what new tradition will you start this year to show your children the joy—and eternal impact—of generosity? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
God Sees Your Silent Nights
December 5, 2025 - 5 min
Grief has a way of amplifying the silence around us, especially during seasons that once overflowed with joy. For Angie, Christmastime has carried a tender ache since the passing of her mother six years ago. Her mom wasn’t just part of the celebration—she was the celebration. The cook, the storyteller, the giver, the one who made Christmas feel full. In the early years of loss, everything felt muted. Holidays didn’t feel festive; they felt hollow. And yet, in the quietness of that grief, Angie discovered a profound truth: Christmas would not be the same, but it could still hold meaning. It could still hold beauty. It could still hold God. By stepping into the traditions her mother created—telling the stories, baking from the old recipes, blessing strangers, reading the Christmas story aloud—Angie found that these moments kept her mother’s love alive for her children and grandchildren. Legacy became a bridge between grief and gratitude. And it was there, in the soft spaces of remembrance, that Angie encountered the God who sees. Genesis 16:13 tells the story of Hagar, a woman alone, misunderstood, and wandering through her own wilderness. She did not seek God out—He sought her. He found her in the barren place, looked upon her sorrow, and spoke hope into her heart. She named Him El Roi—the God who sees me. God still sees like that. He sees you in the holiday moments that feel too quiet.He sees the empty chair at the table, the tradition that now feels tender, the memory that brings both tears and warmth.He sees the ache behind the smile and the courage behind every small step forward. Grief can make life feel blurred, but God’s gaze is steady. In every silent night, He is the God who sees—not glancing over your pain but entering it, meeting you in it, and holding you through it. You are not unseen in your sorrow.You are not forgotten in your longing.You are deeply known by the One who carries both your grief and your hope. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me.’ She also said, ‘Have I truly seen the One who sees me?’”— Genesis 16:13 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Father,Thank You for carrying me through both my grief and my hope. Tonight, I rest in the truth that You see me—fully, gently, and with compassion. Thank You for drawing near in my sorrow and meeting me with Your presence. As I step into this holiday season, may it not be barren but fruitful, marked by Your nearness. Fix my eyes on You, the One who holds all things in Your hands and who never overlooks my pain.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON Do I feel seen in my grief or pain tonight? Take a moment to acknowledge honestly where your heart is. Am I trying to carry this sadness on my own? What might it look like to let God shoulder some of the weight? What perspective might God be inviting me to embrace as I walk through grief in this season? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Faith Like the Shepherds
December 4, 2025 - 6 min
The shepherds of the Christmas story were not the soft-spoken, pastoral figures seen on greeting cards. In biblical times, shepherds were often social outcasts — men with criminal pasts who were unwelcome in mainstream work and pushed into fields far away from public life. Their days were spent in isolation, tending sheep under open skies. And yet, these are the men God chose to receive the first birth announcement of the Savior. Peyton Garland invites us to consider why. Why would God send His angels to criminals, vagrants, the nameless and unclean? Why not kings, priests, or respected religious leaders? Because God was teaching us something about the kind of heart that truly sees Jesus. When we place ourselves in Mary’s shoes, the shock becomes even more pronounced. Imagine giving birth and having strangers — dirty, exhausted shepherds who smell like livestock — suddenly appear, claiming God sent them. Most of us would freeze at the idea. Peyton imagines herself only allowing them to peer from the doorway, not draw near to hold a newborn child. And yet, God invited them first. This is not a story about shepherds.This is a story about the heart God honors. Humble. Simple. Unpretentious. Expectant. The shepherds had nothing to offer — no status, no impressive résumé, no refined presentation. They simply responded to God’s invitation with obedience, awe, and haste:“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see…” Their faith was uncomplicated. It was real. It was immediate. This season, Peyton reminds us that we are the shepherds — flawed humans with messy backgrounds, broken patterns, limitations, and desperate need. We don’t come to Jesus cleaned up, qualified, or credentialed. We come as we are, drawn to the light of the gospel. If we’re honest, we can easily slip into believing our accomplishments, traditions, or spiritual “tidiness” make us worthy of Jesus. But the moment we do that, we become more like the Pharisees and less like the shepherds. The gospel is not about us elevating ourselves — it is about bowing low before Christ. If Jesus is not at the center of our Christmas traditions, then those traditions become ornaments of self-focus instead of worship. The shepherds remind us to return to the simplicity of the gospel — a Savior born in humility, drawing near to the lowly, inviting us to respond with wonder and surrender. This Christmas, choose faith like the shepherds.Choose humility over pride.Choose obedience over hesitation.Choose awe over self-importance.Choose Christ over everything else. Let the miracle in the manger become the miracle in your heart. TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.”— Luke 2:15 MAIN TAKEAWAYS God revealed the birth of Jesus to outcasts first, highlighting humility over status. The shepherds demonstrate simple, immediate obedience — a model of genuine faith. We cannot approach Christ with pride; the gospel invites us to come low and come honest. Christmas loses its meaning when Christ is not at the center. The nativity invites us to humility, surrender, and awe. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES Luke 2:15 Matthew 5:3 James 4:6 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Father,Thank You for sending Your Son and for revealing His coming first to humble shepherds. Their story reminds me that You draw near to the lowly and the willing. Help me submit my heart to You with the same simple faith and obedience they showed. This Christmas season, overwhelm me with Your love and joy. Let the miracle of the nativity reshape my focus and deepen my desire to share Your story with others.Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON God’s choice of the lowly:What does it reveal about His values and the posture He desires from us? Surrendering control:Where might God be inviting you, like Mary, to trust Him beyond your comfort? Keeping Christ central:Have your traditions become more about you than Him? What needs recentring? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Brought to You By
Your Nightly Prayer is a daily Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these nightly prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.
To read the written devotional, head to Crosswalk.com/YourNightlyPrayer
To read the written devotional, head to Crosswalk.com/YourNightlyPrayer