Jesus Listens--for Advent and Christmas, with Full Scriptures: Prayers for the Season (A 40-Day Devotional)

by Sarah Young

Sometimes when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I sit quietly and breathe slowly while praying, “Jesus, help me

relax in Your peace.”

Waiting with You is an act of faith—trusting that prayer really does make a difference.

When I’m too focused on troubles, I walk through a day that’s brimming with beauty and brightness while seeing only the grayness of my thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks darkens my mind and dims my vision.

Lord, please clear up my vision by helping me remember to thank You at all times.

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way.

This rock-solid reality provides a firm foundation for my life.

I’ve found that the more of You I have in my life through living close to You, the more joyful I am. This blesses not only me but others—as Your Joy flows through me to them.

Help me not to listen to those voices but to challenge them with Your Word. Show me how to take breaks from the noise of the world—finding a place to be still in Your Presence so I can hear Your voice.

I confess that sometimes I get so focused on the problems I see and the predictions I hear that my joy gets buried under layers of worry and fear.

But if I simply mouth the words “I trust You” while anxiously trying to make things go my way, my words ring hollow.

the benefits of hope fall fully on me in the present.

Lord, please teach me how to look steadily at You in all my moments and all my circumstances.

Help me to fix my eyes on what is unseen—especially on You—even as the visible world parades before my eyes.

Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world.

Only Your Life in me can empower me to face the endless flow of problems with good cheer.

As I relax in Your Presence—sitting quietly with You—You shine Peace into my ...

Moreover, resting in Your Presence blesses me with Joy that no one will take away from me.

But the greatest gift I’ve received from You, my Savior, is everlasting Life!

Instead of focusing on my feelings, help me to simply trust that You are with me—and to thank You for Your unfailing Love.

Only in You can I find lasting Joy.

You shower so many blessings on my life! I want to take note of each one—responding to Your goodness with a glad, thankful heart.

Instead of letting circumstances or feelings weigh me down, I can encourage myself with biblical truth: You are always with me; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into Glory. I must hold on to these glorious truths with all my might as I make my way through the debris of this broken world.

The Light of Your Presence is shining on me—illuminating the pathway before me.

I find comfort in Your eternal security, knowing that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I’m learning that the way to instill meaning into my days is to live in collaboration with You. I need to begin each day alone with You so I can experience the reality of Your Presence.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. HEBREWS 13:8 NKJV

Instead of trying to figure everything out, I want to focus my energy on trusting and thanking You.

Thank You for calling me out of darkness into Your marvelous Light. Because of all You have done, I’m convinced that You can be trusted in every facet of my life!

Sometimes—especially when many things are going wrong—all I can do is hold on to You.

To profess hope is to affirm it openly.

Speaking negatively discourages me as well as the people around me.

But when my words affirm my hope and trust in You, I gain confidence that You will sh...

May Your Peace protect my mind and heart.

The devil and his underlings work hard to cloud my awareness of Your Presence. So it’s crucial for me to recognize and resist their attacks. I can fight back with Your powerful Word, which is living and active—reading it, pondering it, memorizing it, speaking it out loud.

I’ve discovered that the longer I talk with You, the more aware of Your nearness I become. And this awareness of Your Presence with me fills my heart and mind with Your Peace.

Help me to gaze at the Glory of Your birth, just as the shepherds did, and respond with childlike wonder.

One way I like to celebrate Advent is by illuminating my home with candles and a lit-up tree. This is a way of symbolizing Your coming into our world—eternal Light breaking through the darkness and opening up the way to heaven.

all who trust You as Savior are adopted into Your royal family, to live with You forever!

“Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.

Advent is a season of waiting—of waiting in hope.

I’ve found that the very process of waiting for You is highly beneficial. It keeps my soul on tiptoe as I look up to You in hope—acknowledging that You’re in control and You are good.

When I’m struggling to understand why I have to wait so long, please help me change my focus from relying on my understanding to trusting You with all my heart.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. PROVERBS 3:5 HCSB

Whenever I’m experiencing hard times, I can come to You and tell You my troubles. But I need to come humbly, acknowledging how great and wise You are.

In You I have a matchless Treasure—Joy in the One who is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I need to look up and see Your Light shining upon me. As I gaze at You in childlike trust, I find hope and rest in Your Presence.

Please help me to set aside my problem-solving efforts and relax with You—remembering that You are the Prince of Peace.

Lord, please guide my feet into the way of Peace.

I come to You with positive expectations, knowing there is no limit to what You can accomplish!