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

by Sarah Young

Please help me to wait patiently and with great hope—trusting You in the midst of uncertainty.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. EPHESIANS 3:20–21

I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. PSALM 63:2 ESV

You are Immanuel, God with us—and You are enough!

my mind tends to go into high gear, obsessing about ways to make things better. I’ve come to realize that problem solving can turn into an addiction. There are times when my mind spins with so many plans and possibilities that I become confused and exhausted.

I need to remember that You are with me always, taking care of me.

I also have to discipline myself to make wise choices—day by day and moment by moment. Lord, I choose to be joyful in You, my Savior, for You are indeed enough!

If you could only see

how close I am to you and how constantly I work on your behalf, you would never again doubt that I am wonderfully caring for you.

This knowledge helps me wait for You, entrusting my long-unanswered prayers into Your care and keeping. I trust that not even one of my petitions has slipped past You unnoticed.

You keep all Your promises—in Your perfect way and Your perfect timing. You have promised to give me Peace that can displace the trouble and fear in my heart.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” JOHN 14:27

Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

ISAIAH 30:18 NKJV

Help me, through Your Spirit, to open myself more fully to Your loving Presence so that I may be filled to the measure of all Your fullness.

This vast ocean of Love cannot be measured or explained, but it can be experienced.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. JAMES 4:8 NASB

pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may

dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you . . . may have power . . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. EPHESIANS 3:16–19

The more attentive I am, the more I can find You in the details of my day. So please help me stay alert—being on the lookout for delightful displays of Your Presence.

Let Scripture saturate your mind and heart, and you will walk steadily along the path of Life. Even though you don’t know what will happen tomorrow, you can be absolutely sure of your ultimate destination.

“You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” JEREMIAH 29:13 NKJV

All things are possible with You! These powerful words from Scripture light up my mind and encourage my heart.

Teach me how to grow closer to You, Lord Jesus.

Please train me to align my will with Yours and to watch in hope for You to work.

Relax in the knowledge

that the One who controls your life is totally trustworthy. Come to Me with confident expectation. There is nothing you need that I cannot provide.

For all things are possible with God.” MARK 10:27 ESV

We live by faith, not by sight.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:7

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. MICAH 7:7

Distractions come at me from all sides when I try to sit quietly with You. But having an intimate connection with You is worth fighting for, so I won’t give up!

Please help me in my quest to set aside uninterrupted time to spend with You—focusing on You and Your Word.

As I ponder the vastness of Your Power and Glory, my perspective changes and my problems look smaller.

I am pleased with your desire to create a quiet space where you and I can meet. Don’t be discouraged by the difficulty of achieving this goal. I monitor all your efforts and am blessed by each of your attempts to seek My Face.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:33

Help me not to get discouraged when my efforts to improve matters are unsuccessful.

I have good reason to rejoice this Christmas because You have promised to renew all things—including me—making everything gloriously perfect!

Do not fear what this day, or any day, may bring your way. Concentrate on trusting Me and on doing what needs to be done. Relax in My sovereignty, remembering that I go before you, as well as with you, into each day.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” REVELATION 21:5

Since You are always with me, the Joy of Your Presence is continually available to me.

You empowered me to rise above the circumstances in my life.

Whenever my world looks dark, focusing on You—the Light of the world—brightens my perspective.

I want you to

reflect My joyous Light by living in increasing intimacy with Me.

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” JOHN 14:3

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ”I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” JOHN 8:12

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Because of You, my sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west—freeing me from all condemnation.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:1, 14