MY Devotional: Daily Biblical Encouragement & Prayer from Leading The Way

Shame is a powerful and damaging emotion. It can make us hide who we are, what we believe, or the message God has entrusted to us. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that shame is closely connected to fear—especially the fear of what others think.

Paul warned Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of those who suffer for Him. That warning is just as urgent today. Many Christians have allowed the world to shame them into silence, hiding the Gospel, softening Biblical morality, or retreating from God’s standards. But Paul’s command is clear: do not be ashamed; instead, join in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God.

Dr. Youssef points believers to the ultimate reason we can stand firm: Jesus has conquered death. Through His cross and resurrection, Christ has not only defeated death for His people—He has broken the fear of death itself. Because of Him, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, knowing our labor is never in vain.

If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed. Praise God that you bear the name of Christ, and stand firm in the victory He has already secured.

Prayer: Father, may I never be ashamed of the Gospel. May I remember that I am Yours even in death. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Never Give Up, Standing for the Gospel: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

God wants you to walk wisely and confidently with Him, refusing to let fear or circumstances cause you to doubt His goodness. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers that the enemy often tempts us to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and afraid—but we serve a sovereign God who has good things in mind for His children.

Even men of great faith—Joseph, Daniel, Moses, David, and the disciples—faced moments when doubt could have overtaken them. Yet they remained steadfast in the Lord’s ability, eventually coming to the point where they boldly confronted their fears. We are called to do the same.

Dr. Youssef explains that worry does exactly what its root meaning suggests: it strangles and chokes. It stifles our God-given potential and keeps us from living victoriously. Solomon’s warning to catch “the little foxes” reminds us that seemingly small sins—worry, doubt, and fear—can quietly damage our devotion and steal our joy.

But God is merciful and powerful. When your life is surrendered to Him, you do not have to be anxious about tomorrow. He provides perfectly, faithfully, and on time.

Prayer: Lord, I surrender my life to You. Thank You for Your peace and provision. Help me to root out the worries and insecurities in my heart that lead me astray so that I can live joyfully and righteously for You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom” (Song of Songs 2:15). 

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon series Freedom from Fear: LISTEN NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

Martha and Mary both loved the Lord, but their actions revealed two very different priorities. Martha was busy serving, preparing, cleaning, and trying to please Jesus through activity. Mary, however, sat at His feet and listened to His Word. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers to beware of anything—even good things—that crowds the Lord out of our lives.

Jesus gently corrected Martha because she was “worried and upset about many things,” while Mary had chosen what was better. The issue was not service itself, but preoccupation. Martha’s anxiety came from being consumed with the temporary things of life instead of resting in the eternal value of God’s Word and the presence of Christ.

Dr. Youssef explains that anxiety often reveals where we are seeking security and peace apart from the Lord. C.S. Lewis observed that God designed the human soul to run on Himself—and that lasting happiness and peace cannot be found apart from Him.

Like Martha, we may sincerely desire to please God while still stressing over unnecessary tasks, emotions, and expectations. But when Christ becomes the center of our lives, our priorities are reordered, and He fills us with His peace, assurance, and hope.

Prayer: Father, pour Your peace into my heart and mind as I release the cares of this world and focus on You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Jesus: Know Him and Live, Part 1: LISTEN NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

When terrible things happen in our communities or around the world, fear can quickly rise in our hearts. But Jesus asks a piercing question: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef points believers back to the futility of anxiety and the faithfulness of the Father.

Our attitude toward possessions often reveals our spiritual temperature. When our homes, cars, education, clothing, bank accounts, or future security become more important than our relationship with Christ, anxiety and fear take root. But when we practice daily surrender—placing our fears, desires, and worries into Jesus’ hands—we discover the inner peace only He can give.

Dr. Youssef reminds us that God has promised to provide for all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. When anxiety overtakes us, it is often because we have temporarily forgotten the privileges we possess as children of the King. Our future is secure, our deepest longings will be satisfied, and God is working all things for the good of those who love Him.

Waiting is never easy, but God’s purpose is served when we wait on Him. He has already prepared the answer to your anxiety—and He is preparing you for His answer. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, listen to His voice, submit to His direction, and trust that He will provide.

Prayer: Father, help me to daily surrender my fears, anxieties, and desires to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Do Not Be Anxious: LISTEN NOW| WATCH NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

There are times when God withholds something we deeply desire—a relationship, a job, a possession, or an answered prayer—and our confidence in Him feels tested. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef encourages believers to seek the Lord, wait for His will, and remember that our heavenly Father knows what we need even better than we do.

But while God withholds for our good, we often withhold from God to our own harm. When we cling tightly to earthly treasures, possessions, gifts, or plans, we create fertile ground for worry and anxiety. Jesus calls us away from storing up treasures on earth and toward storing up treasures in heaven—living with open hands and eternal priorities.

Dr. Youssef points to God’s solution for anxiety: trust Him fully and use what He has entrusted to you for His glory. Because of Christ, believers are more than conquerors. We live with the assurance of eternal victory—victory over sin, death, fear, worry, and every earthly loss.

Don’t be anxious about life. Seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and trust Him to meet every need in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: God, help me to trust You even when it seems You are withholding something from me. May I not withhold anything from You. Help me to turn away from worry and anxiety today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Do Not Be Anxious: LISTEN NOW| WATCH NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate