Your Daily Prayer

Life moves fast—much faster than our souls were designed to run. Between responsibilities, noise, technology, and distractions, our minds rarely find quiet. Yet Jesus invites us into something radically countercultural: a secret place of stillness with Him.

In this devotion, Keri Eichberger reminds us that solitude isn’t merely the absence of people—it's the intentional presence of God. True rest doesn’t come from binge-watching shows, scrolling endlessly, or escaping reality. It comes from withdrawing to be alone with the Lord, letting Him replenish what life drains.

Solitude with God is a spiritual practice—a rhythm Jesus modeled throughout His earthly ministry. When we step away from the world’s constant chatter and allow silence to settle in, we make space to hear His voice again. We find peace, clarity, comfort, and spiritual renewal that no substitute can provide.

And here's the beautiful thing: As we learn to savor God’s presence in private, His peace begins to follow us everywhere. Solitude becomes something we can carry within us—transforming busy rooms, chaotic moments, and overwhelming days.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” — Matthew 6:6

Main Takeaways

• Solitude isn’t isolation—it’s intentionally entering God’s presence.

• God desires to meet us in stillness, away from noise and distraction.

• Solitude strengthens our ability to sense God’s presence throughout everyday life.

• The secret place with God brings spiritual renewal, clarity, and rest.

• Practicing silence and prayer becomes a portable sanctuary for the soul.

Today’s Prayer

Glorious God,

You are the sweetest gift of solitude. When I retreat from the noise of the world and quiet my heart before You, I find peace and nourishment that only You can give. I confess that I often turn to lesser things to soothe what only Your presence can heal.

Teach me to prioritize stillness. Make solitude with You a regular rhythm of my life—one that becomes so natural that I can turn to You anytime, anywhere. Quiet my distractions. Relax my striving. Help me learn to savor Your holy, life-giving presence.

Fill me with Your love, joy, and peace as I rest in You today.

In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen.

Reflection Scriptures

• Psalm 46:10

• Isaiah 30:15

• Mark 1:35

• Psalm 62:1

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Some people seem born with the gift of hospitality. The moment you step through their doorway, peace meets you like a warm blanket. The room smells inviting, your needs are anticipated, and the details have been thoughtfully arranged with love. Many of us admire these “natural hostesses,” even if we don’t see those qualities in ourselves.

Alicia Searl shares honestly that hosting doesn’t come as easily for her anymore—especially now that the holidays feel heavier, the gatherings larger, and the expectations higher. When she learned it was her turn to host Christmas, her first reaction wasn’t joy but stress. Yet the Lord softened her heart and reminded her of something far more important than décor, menus, or perfect planning:

Hospitality is ultimately about peace, not presentation.

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples with one simple instruction upon entering a home:
“First say, ‘Peace to this house.’”
No elaborate preparations. No expectations. Peace was the first gift exchanged.

If peace rested there, they were to stay, share meals, and bring the good news of God’s kingdom. If not, the peace simply returned to them, and they moved on. Simple. Sacred. Purposeful.

Hospitality is one of the primary ways believers embody the heart of Christ. Whether our homes are large or small, tidy or lived-in, beautifully decorated or simple, we are called to cultivate atmospheres where peace dwells.

Our mission field begins at our front door.
The people who enter our homes—and the homes into which we enter—should encounter the peace of Christ through us.

This season, whether you’re hosting Christmas, visiting relatives, or gathering with neighbors, you have the opportunity to bring peace into every room you enter.

Today's Bible Reading:
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you… Do not move around from house to house.” – Luke 10:5–7

Main Takeaways

• True hospitality is not about perfection—it's about peace.

• Jesus instructs us to bless homes with peace before anything else.

• Our homes can become places of ministry through simple, Christ-centered welcome.

• The peace of Christ rests where hearts are open, and it returns unharmed where it is not.

• Peace on earth begins with peace exchanged between believers in everyday relationships.

Let’s Pray

Father God,

Thank You for giving us a beautiful model of hospitality through Your Word. Help us to release the pressures of hosting and instead focus on welcoming people with Your peace. Soften our hearts toward every person who enters our home and every home we enter this season.

Teach us to greet others with grace, truth, and love. Fill our homes with Your presence so they may radiate peace on earth in the most ordinary and sacred ways. Let the atmosphere within our walls reflect the hope we have in Christ, and may our hospitality become a testimony of Your goodness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Additional Scriptures for Reflection

• Romans 12:13

• Hebrews 13:2

• John 14:27

• Colossians 3:15

Calls to Action

• Subscribe to the Your Daily Prayer podcast at LifeAudio.com

• Share this devotional with someone preparing to host holiday gatherings

• Explore related articles on Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com for more resources on hospitality and peace

How often do we take our own blessings for granted? And how much more often do we neglect to steward what we've been given to make a life-changing and Gospel impact for those in need? I am partnering with Smartian's Purse this holiday season and had the pleasure of interviewing Kristy Graham to discuss how their ministry is changing the world one donation at a time. From beekeeping to raising chicks, all to feeding starving babies and digging wells, I want to encourage my listeners to give alongside me this holiday season and to reflect the heart of Christ this Christmas!

CHECK OUT THE GIVING CATALOG HERE: samaritanspurse.org/Beloved

Editor's Note - this is a bonus feed drop, in partnership with Samaritan's Purse. Your Daily Prayer's regular episodes will continue on the 8th.

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.

Everyone remembers a gift that left a lasting mark—something so meaningful that the moment surrounding it fades, but the gift itself stays vivid. Keneesha Saunders-Liddie opens with a childhood memory: a pair of beloved boots, cherished and unforgettable.

But no gift compares to the one God gave the world on Christmas: the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ dwelling among us.

John 1:14 reminds us that God’s greatest gift was not wrapped in paper but in humanity. Jesus entered a world that would reject Him, suffer deeply, and ultimately die for those He came to save. This is the heart of Christmas—God Himself choosing to step into our brokenness.

Why this gift matters:

• Jesus came with unfailing love and faithfulness.

• He left His heavenly glory to dwell among us.

• He offered salvation when we were helpless and without hope.

• He is the gift we didn’t earn, couldn’t repay, and absolutely needed.

Christmas can easily become filled with material expectations, pressures, and comparisons. But gratitude shifts our focus. Gratitude reminds us that while earthly gifts fade, the gift of Jesus is eternal.

As you look around your home this Christmas—whether the season feels full or humble—remember that the greatest gift has already been given. Jesus came. Jesus rescued. Jesus stayed. And Jesus still saves.

Bible Reading:
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Main Takeaways

• Gratitude should define our lives because Christ defined love through His coming.

• Jesus is God’s greatest gift—given with purpose, sacrifice, and unending love.

• True worship flows from remembering what His arrival cost and what it accomplished.

• No earthly gift can compare to the salvation, hope, and presence we have in Christ.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord,

I’m so thankful for the greatest gift You have ever given—the gift of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for thinking of me before I even knew how desperately I needed hope. What an incredible gift from a God whose love is limitless and whose generosity never fails.

Help me not only to speak words of gratitude but to live a life that reflects it—through obedience, service, and a heart centered on You. Cleanse me from any sin that keeps me from fully treasuring what You’ve done. Renew a right spirit within me and help me to walk in gratitude daily.

Thank You for Jesus, for His coming, His sacrifice, and the salvation He secured for me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Additional Scriptures for Reflection

• Isaiah 9:6

• Luke 2:10–11

• 2 Corinthians 9:15

• John 3:16

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