Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christians

Psalm 46 was written by the sons of Korah, a group of Levites who served as musicians in the temple. In this psalm, they reflect on a world filled with chaos and upheaval. They likely had events such as the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in mind—but even today, the world often feels no different. We, too, live in a time of uncertainty, noise, and unrest. The psalm begins by reminding us that God is our ever-present help. Perhaps tonight you find yourself in need, in want, or even in desperation. Friend, be reminded that God is with you. He is providing for you, even when you cannot see it—and even when your thoughts or the enemy try to convince you otherwise. This psalm tells us that when mountains fall, waters roar and foam, and life feels unstable, the Lord is our refuge. The word fortress means a strong place—one that cannot be invaded or influenced by the outside world. In God, we are held, supported, and kept secure. Even as the sons of Korah remembered seasons of pain and threat—or as you walk through a difficult moment right now—Psalm 46 declares with confidence that our safety is found in the presence of God. Tonight, be reminded that your peace, security, wisdom, and provision are found in Jesus. If you are in His presence, you are in the safest place you can be. One day, Jesus will return. And when He does, what we now believe by faith will become reality. Our faith will become sight, and we will see Him face to face. As you lay down to rest tonight, reflect on who He is—the One who saved you, redeemed you, sanctifies you, and provides for you. Rest in worship. Remember the great things God has already done, and allow your faith to rise, trusting that He will be faithful again. Rest easy, friend. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “Be still and know that I am God.”— Psalm 46:10 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Father,As we lay our heads down on pillows, couches, or wherever we find ourselves tonight, we rest in the knowledge that You are coming back for Your children. One day, all the pain and chaos we endure will be a distant memory, as we see You face to face. Tonight, we bring before You the things that feel beyond our control. We surrender them to You and ask that Your will would be done in every unknown circumstance.We love You.Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Even in the silent hours of the night, God is listening. He sees you and hears you. When sleep feels distant, talk with the Father who never sleeps nor slumbers. “Be still and know that I am God” is easy to say but sometimes difficult to practice. Remember that stillness is holy, and trusting God with outcomes brings peace. One day, our Savior will return—and what a day of celebration that will be. Look ahead with hope. You are not forgotten. Jesus is preparing a place for you. Rest in that promise tonight. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When God created the world, He lovingly designed the Garden of Eden as a place where humanity could flourish. Everything Adam and Eve needed was provided—yet the greatest gift was not the beauty or abundance of the garden itself, but the presence of God. Eden was a place where humanity could walk, talk, and commune with the Creator. Genesis describes how God would come in the cool of the day to walk with Adam and Eve. There was no distance, no misunderstanding, and no barrier—only an intimate, personal relationship between God and His creation. Tragically, sin entered the garden when Satan deceived Adam and Eve, bringing spiritual death and separation. Though they remained physically alive, they lost their innocence, their home, and their closeness with God. Sin created a divide between a holy God and fallen humanity—a gap no human effort could repair. Yet no one was more grieved by that separation than God Himself. Because we could not bridge the distance between our sin and His holiness, God chose to come to us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to enter the world in human form—to walk where we walk, to live at our level, and to restore what had been broken. Matthew 1:23 declares:“‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” From the beginning, God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people. He created us in His image so we could live in His presence and know Him intimately. Sending Jesus was not a change of plan—it was the fulfillment of God’s heart to be with us again. Jesus Himself affirmed this truth when He said:“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Through Christ, the miracle of Christmas becomes reality—God with us. Jesus lived among us, died for us, and rose again so we could be reconciled to God. Then, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, ensuring God’s presence is not only near us, but within us. God delights in being known by His people, as Jeremiah 9:24 explains:“‘Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know Me, that I am the Lord.’” The promise of God’s presence does not end here. Revelation 21:3 gives us a glimpse of our eternal future:“‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them.’” Through Jesus, God has restored what was lost in the garden—and He promises that one day we will live forever in His presence, fully restored and never separated again. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”— Hebrews 13:5 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Dear Father,Our hearts are deeply grateful for Your gracious gift of Your only Son, Jesus, and for the true miracle of Christmas—God with us. Thank You for loving us enough to restore our relationship with You and for sending Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We praise You for Your constant presence in our lives and for preparing an eternal home where we will live forever in Your glory and love.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Do you sense God’s presence in your life? If not, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into a deeper awareness of His nearness. Does God feel real and accessible in your everyday life—someone you can speak with at any moment? If not, consider setting aside intentional time to talk with Him daily. What does it personally mean to you to live with the promise of God’s presence in your life? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When Peter wrote the words in tonight’s verse, he was addressing believers who had been forced to flee their homes and scattered throughout the Roman Empire. These early Christians were facing intense persecution because of their faith in Jesus. In fact, Peter himself would soon be executed during this same period. Understanding the context of this letter makes Peter’s words all the more powerful. Imagine the excitement and encouragement these suffering believers felt as they held a letter written by Peter. Peter—the disciple mentioned more than any other in the Gospels, second only to Christ. He witnessed Jesus transfigured in glory on the mountain. He received a personal visit from the resurrected Savior. And he was even given a new name by Jesus Himself. A letter from Peter carried deep weight and credibility. I picture these believers holding the letter carefully, reading every word slowly, searching for hope in the midst of fear, loss, and uncertainty. In the verses leading up to tonight’s Scripture, Peter reminds them that followers of Christ are pilgrims—temporary residents on earth with a far greater inheritance waiting in heaven. This world is not our final home. Peter knew this truth intimately. He had walked with Jesus for three years, shoulder to shoulder. Now he was living without seeing his beloved Savior, longing for the day he would see Him face to face again. And yet, even in that absence, Peter speaks of a joy that is inexpressible and glorious. This joy is not rooted in comfort, safety, or ease. It flows from hope—hope that one day our faith will become sight. Especially during this Christmas season, Peter’s words remind us that Jesus Himself is the reward. When we fix our eyes on the day we will see Him face to face, that future hope produces real joy in the present. The writer of Hebrews echoes this encouragement:“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1–2) Like Peter and the early church, we are invited to resist focusing solely on our temporary circumstances. Instead, we lift our gaze heavenward. As we do, even hardship can deepen our joy—because our hearts are anchored in our eternal home and our eternal Savior, Jesus Christ. TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”— 1 Peter 1:8 YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER Father,In the words of Peter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” We praise You for sending Your only Son to earth to die a death we deserved, so that we may live with You forever. Help me remember that this life and its struggles are temporary. I give You permission to redirect my attention to Jesus when I begin to fixate on difficult circumstances. I believe in You, Jesus. Grow in me an inexpressible and glorious joy that brings honor to You and encouragement to those around me.In Jesus’ name,Amen. THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON Are the difficulties in my life producing a deeper relationship with Jesus and cultivating an inexpressible and glorious joy? Am I magnifying my problems more than I am fixing my eyes on Jesus? What currently has my attention? If I’m honest, which inheritance excites me more—the eternal one in heaven that I cannot yet see, or the temporary comforts of this world? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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.