Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christians

It’s easy to look around during the holidays and see joy everywhere. Christmas music plays wherever we go, decorations fill our streets, and neighborhood homes glow with lights. I even see cars driving by adorned with wreaths and ornaments. I love the white twinkly lights of Christmas. I love the glow of the tree in a dimly lit room, a fire crackling nearby, hot chocolate in my favorite mug, and snuggling on the couch with my family. I love Christmas movies, family gatherings, and the spirit of the season. For many of us, it truly is a special time of year. But for me—and for many others—Christmas can also be incredibly hard. When we’re walking through sickness, divorce, job loss, grief, or the death of someone we love, Christmas doesn’t feel the way it once did. The joy we remember from past seasons can feel distant or unreachable. Even when we go through the motions of our traditions, something feels different. It’s hard to feel joy when your heart is hurting, even when joy surrounds you. Tonight’s Scripture reminds us of something deeply comforting: Jesus is with us in our pain. This is why He came. Christmas is not reserved for the cheerful or the put-together. It belongs to the brokenhearted. When King David wrote Psalm 34, he was not celebrating a victory. He was fleeing for his life, hiding from King Saul among the Philistines—the very people whose champion, Goliath, he had defeated. When recognized, David pretended to be insane to avoid death. He escaped and hid in a cave—rejected, afraid, humiliated, and utterly alone. Psalm 34 was written from that cave. From fear. From crushing despair. Yet the psalm becomes a testimony of God’s faithfulness. David declares, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me.” And he proclaims with confidence that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” God heard David’s cries, and He hears ours. He is present in the silent moments, the angry prayers, the tears that soak our pillows. When it feels like we’re alone in the cave of suffering, God is closer than we realize. In Hebrew, the word close means near, intimate, at hand. And saves means to deliver, to rescue, to bring victory. God doesn’t just comfort shattered hearts—He draws near to them and brings restoration in His perfect timing. This Christmas, let us remember that the season isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. Emmanuel means “God with us”—not only with the joyful, but with the weary, the grieving, and the brokenhearted. Your pain does not disqualify you from Christmas joy; it is the very reason Jesus came. He is holding you. He sees your pain. And He is with you—now and always. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father,Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to meet me in my brokenness and pain. Thank You for being with me when my heart aches and for carrying me through moments I cannot face on my own. Help me rest in Your presence this Christmas and feel the comfort of knowing You are here with me now. Thank You for the gift of Jesus—His birth, His sacrifice, and the hope He brings. Teach me to find peace in Your presence and joy in Your promises, even when life hurts. Thank You for holding me, loving me, and never letting me go.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO PONDER UPON How is God showing you that He is with you in this season? Where can you sense His presence? What pain, disappointment, or loss are you carrying into Christmas? How might Jesus be inviting you to release it and rest in His healing presence? How can you make space to experience His peace and receive even small moments of joy this season—not because everything is perfect, but because He is with you? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

My daughter is part of the color guard at her high school. During band performances, they flip flags and wooden rifles in carefully choreographed routines. A couple of weeks ago, the band and color guard had an all-day practice, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. That afternoon, we received a text inviting family and friends to watch a free performance. We arrived at the football field around 7 p.m., just as the sun began to set. But nothing happened. The stadium lights were off. The sky continued to darken. We wondered if the lights would come on at all—and if there would even be a show. What happened next taught me something. As the darkness settled in and the lights still hadn’t turned on, the band began to play. The color guard danced. Without knowing if the lights would ever come on, they continued doing what they knew to do. With youthful energy and joy, they played song after song together. Eventually, the lights did come on, and we enjoyed their performance. But God used that moment to challenge me. Do I praise Him in the darkness—before the light comes? God has promised that the dawn will arrive, that the light will shine again. But sometimes, He calls us to worship while we wait. We praise Him because He is with us now, not only when circumstances improve. And we praise Him because He has always been faithful to fulfill His promises. That night also reminded me of the power of community. It is easier to worship together. God designed us to praise Him alongside others, drawing encouragement from His people when the darkness feels heavy. Even in difficult seasons, we have reason to worship. Christ, the Light of the world, is always present. And when we worship Him—together—we declare our trust that the darkness will not last. The light will come. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”— John 1:5 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Heavenly Father,Teach me to praise You in the darkness. Even when the lights haven’t come on yet, help me lift my voice with joy and trust in Your promises. Remind me that You are present now and faithful to fulfill Your word in the future. Surround me with Your people so that together we may worship You for who You are and all You have done. Strengthen my heart to wait with hope until the dawn comes.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Think of a time you walked through a difficult season that eventually ended. How did God sustain you while you waited? Reflect on ways God has fulfilled His promises in your past. How does His faithfulness then shape your hope for the future? Recall how God’s people have encouraged you during dark times. In what ways have you been able to encourage others in theirs? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is not what most people would consider a typical Christmas carol. Its somber melody and chant-like tone feel out of place among upbeat tunes and festive imagery. Yet this ancient hymn, drawn from the “O Antiphons,” beautifully captures the heart of Christmas: longing, waiting, and hope breaking into darkness. Scripture contains a similar song—the prophetic praise of Zechariah after the birth of his son, John. In Luke 1, Zechariah proclaims that the Messiah is the rising sun or morning light who will shine on those living in darkness. Jesus is the Light of the World, the One who rescues us from the kingdom of darkness and brings us into His eternal kingdom of life and peace (John 8:12; Colossians 1:13). The words of O Come, O Come Emmanuel echo this truth as they draw from Isaiah 9:2:“O come, O Bright and Morning Star,and bring us comfort from afar!Dispel the shadows of the nightand turn our darkness into light.” Jesus entered a world marked by darkness—and the darkness could not overcome Him (John 1:5). For those sitting in darkness today, whether due to grief, illness, loss, or uncertainty, Christ’s coming brings real hope. We are not abandoned. Death does not have the final word. God is still at work, even when His purposes feel hidden. This is why Christmas is more than a celebration—it is an interruption. The Light has come. Our Savior, Immanuel, is with us now and will come again. And that is reason to rejoice, even in the night. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”— Luke 1:78–79, NLT YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Thank You, Jesus, for coming into the world to bring salvation and light. You are the Light that darkness cannot overcome. I trust You to shine into the shadowed places of my life, bringing healing, peace, and renewed hope. You are my living hope, the One who conquered death itself. Help me remember that You, Immanuel, are with me no matter what I face.Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Light in the darknessLight a candle or turn on a light in a dark room. What does this simple act stir in your heart about Christ’s presence and power? Anchoring promisesReflect on a Bible verse that brings you comfort—perhaps one about God’s presence (Matthew 28:20), restoration (Revelation 21:1–4), or Jesus’ return (Revelation 22:20). How does this promise steady you during times of sorrow? Names of hopeConsider one of Jesus’ titles from O Come, O Come Emmanuel—Immanuel, Wisdom, Lord of Might, Branch of Jesse, Key of David, Bright and Morning Star, King of Nations. Which name stirs hope in you, and how might you pray it this week? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? Maybe it was something you deeply hoped and prayed for, or perhaps it was an unexpected surprise—something so wonderful you would never have imagined it could be yours. Most meaningful gifts come from someone who knows us well, who understands what will bless our hearts. But no one knows us better than God. He understands us more deeply than we understand ourselves, and because He does, Scripture assures us that every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17). Even the best earthly gifts pale in comparison to the perfect gift God has already given us—Jesus. John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so we could have eternal life. There is no greater sacrifice, no greater expression of love, and no gift more valuable. Jesus is the ultimate Christmas gift—eternal, priceless, and life-changing. Paul affirms this in Romans 6:23, reminding us that although sin leads to death, God’s gift to us is eternal life in Christ Jesus. And in Romans 8:32, he emphasizes the generosity of God’s heart: if He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how much more will He graciously give us everything we need? Isaiah 9:6 proclaims who this perfect gift is—our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. There is no greater gift than Jesus. No present wrapped under a tree, no special moment shared with loved ones, can compare to God’s overwhelming, indescribable gift of His Son. TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”— 2 Corinthians 9:15 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Dear Father,Thank You for the indescribable gift of Jesus—Your perfect Son, the true gift of Christmas. Nothing in all of history compares to what You have given us. We could never earn such a priceless gift, yet out of Your deep love, You freely gave us Your Son. Help my heart dwell on the wonder of this truth and treasure Jesus above all else. In His name I pray,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Reflect on memorable Christmas gifts from your past. What made them stand out? What do they reveal about the giver? Spend time meditating on John 3:16. How does God’s love for you personally come alive in this verse? Since Jesus is the true gift of Christmas, how might you share Him with others this season—through words, acts of kindness, generosity, or prayer? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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.