Jesus Listens October 31

Eternal God,

In Your Presence there is fullness of Joy, perfect Peace, and unfailing Love. I delight in walking with You along the path of Life, enjoying Your company each step of the way. Because You are continually by my side, the Joy of Your Presence is always available to me!

You have promised to keep me in perfect Peace as I fix my thoughts on You. Please help me stay in communication with You through my spoken words, thoughts, and songs. When I spend ample time absorbing Your Word- letting it soak into my mind- it changes the way I think and live. As I ponder who You really are, Your Light shines warmly into my heart and blesses me with Peace.

Lord, I want to flourish in Your Presence-like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. As the sunlight of Your Presence shines upon me, it nourishes me so I can produce fruit in Your Kingdom. And the more I trust in Your unfailing Love, the more I realize how utterly secure I am in You!

In Your bright, loving Name, Jesus, Amen.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3

“May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭29‬:‭11

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭52‬:‭8‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 30

Compassionate Jesus,

You are the One who keeps me safe. My natural tendency is to rely heavily on my thinking and planning, as if that is where my security lies. When I start to feel anxious about something, my mind goes into overdrive-searching for solutions, seeking to feel secure. All the while You are with me, holding me by my right hand. Help me to remember and rely on Your continual Presence with me.

Instead of trusting in myself, which is foolish, I want to walk in wisdom and depend on You to keep me safe. You’re teaching me that biblical wisdom involves trusting in You more than in myself or other people. You are always ready to guide me with Your counsel, so I can bring all my concerns to You. Sometimes writing out my prayers clarifies my thinking, especially when I’m feeling confused.

Please show me the way forward as I wait in Your Presence–asking You to guide my mind while I focus on You and Your Word. Whispering “Jesus” is one way I stay focused on You. Your Name is a strong tower; when I run into it I am safe.

In Your strong Name, Amen.

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭23

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭26

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 29

Worthy Jesus,

Help me to stay mindful of You as I go step by step through this day. Your Presence with me is a precious promise–and a comforting protection. After Your resurrection, You reassured Your followers, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” That promise was for all Your followers- including me!

While journeying with You, I’ve seen that Your Presence is a powerful, essential protection. As I walk along my life-path, there are numerous pitfalls nearby. Just a few steps away from my true path are pits of self-pity and despair, plateaus of pride and self-will. Various voices compete for my attention–trying to entice me to go their way. If I take my eyes off of You and follow someone else’s path, I am in real danger. I realize that even good friends can lead me astray if I let them usurp Your place in my life.

Thank You for showing me that the way to stay on the path of Life is to keep my focus on You. Awareness of Your loving Presence both protects me and delights me!

In Your comforting, protecting Name, Amen.

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭20

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭11

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 28

Promise-keeping Lord,

It’s awesome that You have an eternal grip on me. Your Love will never let me go! I live in a world that is unpredictable and unsafe in so many ways. As I look around me, I see broken promises littering the landscape.

Thankfully, Your Love is a promise that will never be broken. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, Your unfailing Love for me will not be shaken. This verse paints a picture of dire circumstances: quaking mountains and disappearing hills. Yet no matter what is happening, Your Love remains unshakable. I can build my life on it!

I admit that it’s difficult for me to receive Your Love in full measure. Please strengthen me with power through Your Spirit-helping me to really grasp how wide and long and high and deep is Your Love for me. Lord, I yearn to know this Love that surpasses knowledge!

I ask You to set me free from faulty self-images so I can view myself as You see me radiant in Your robe of righteousness, wrapped in luminous Love.

In Your righteous Name, Jesus, Amen.

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭10‬

“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭19‬

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭10‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 27

My great God,

Teach me how to approach problems with a light touch.

When my mind moves toward a problem area, I tend to focus on that situation so intensely that I lose sight of You. I pit myself against the difficulty as if I must conquer it immediately. My mind gears up for battle, and my body becomes tense and anx-ious. Unless I achieve total victory, I feel defeated.

I know there is a better way! When a problem starts to overshadow my thoughts, please prompt me to bring the matter to You talking it over with You and examining it in the Light of Your Presence. This puts some much-needed space between me and my concern, enabling me to see it more from Your per-spective. Sometimes I even end up laughing at myself for being so serious about something that’s insignificant.

I realize I will always face trouble in this world. But more importantly, I will always have You with me_-equipping me to handle whatever I encounter. Help me approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in Your revealing Light.

In Your brilliant Name, Jesus, Amen.

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭25‬-‭26

“Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭89‬:‭15

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 26

Gentle Jesus,

When things are not going my way, my natural tendency is to get flustered. Help me, instead, to stop what I’m doing and seek Your Face- spending a few moments enjoying Your Presence. As I talk with You about the matters that are frustrating me, You enable me to see things from Your perspective and sort out what is really important. Then You open up the way before me as I go forward in trusting dependence, staying in communication with You.

I confess that the culprit behind my frustration is my strong desire to be in control. I plan my day and expect others to behave in ways that don’t interfere with those plans. But I need to remember that You are in control and Your ways are higher than mine, as the heavens are higher than the earth. Rather than letting setbacks and interruptions upset me, I want to use them as reminders- that You are the sovereign God and I am Your beloved follower. Help me to trust in Your unfailing Love, gladly subordinating my plans to Your infinitely wise Master Plan.

In Your wondrous Name, Amen.

“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.””
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭8

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭9‬

“This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭31

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭13‬:‭5

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 25

Steadfast Lord,

I long to walk more steadily along paths of trust- staying in communication with You. You’ve shown me that the most direct route between point A and point B on my life-journey is the path of unwavering trust in You. When my faith falters, I invariably choose a trail that meanders and takes me well out of my way. Because You are sovereign, I eventually get to point B, but I lose precious time and energy as a result of my unbelief.

So as soon as I realize I’ve wandered away from my trust-path, I need to whisper, “I trust You, Jesus.” This simple affirmation helps me get back on track.

I’ve found that the farther I roam along paths of unbelief, the harder it is for me to remember You are with me. Anxious thoughts branch off in all directions, taking me farther and farther from awareness of Your Presence. To stay on course, I need to voice my trust in You frequently! This small act of faith keeps me walking in step with You. Help me to trust in You with all my heart; please make my paths straight.

In Your dependable Name, Jesus, Amen.

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭4

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭9‬:‭10

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭25‬:‭4

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 24

Strong Savior,

Your Word assures me that You are both with me and for me. When I decide on a course of action that conforms to Your will, nothing can stop me. So I won’t give up, even if I encounter multiple obstacles as I move toward my goal. I know there will be many ups and downs as I journey with You, but with Your help I can overcome any obstacle. I’m encouraged by the glorious truth that You, my ever-present Help, are omnipotent!

I’ve found that much of the stress in my life results from trying to make things happen before their time has come. You assert Your sovereignty in various ways- including the timing of events. Even though I sometimes get impatient, I really do want to stay close to You on my life-path and do things Your way. Please lead me each moment along the way You want me to go. Instead of dashing headlong toward my goal, I invite You to set the pace. As I slow down, I can enjoy the journey in Your

Presence.

In Your splendid Name, Jesus, Amen.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31

“For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭29

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭1

“For nothing will be impossible with God.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 23

Gracious Jesus,

From Your fullness I have received grace upon grace. I worship You as I ponder Your astonishing gift of salvation—by grace through faith in You. Because it’s entirely a gift, not a result of works, my salvation is absolutely secure! My part was just to receive this precious gift—believing with the faith that You provided. I rejoice in this infinitely costly treasure, bought with the price of Your blood.

I’ve found that multiple blessings flow out of Your wondrous grace. My guilt feelings melt away in the warm Light of Your forgiveness. My identity as a child of God gives my life meaning and purpose. My relationships with other people improve as I relate to them with the love and forgiveness You’ve given me.

O Lord, fill my heart with overflowing gratitude as I ponder Your glorious grace. Please remind me to spend time thinking about and thanking You for the bountiful blessings in my life. This protects my heart from the weeds of ingratitude that spring up so easily. Teach me to be thankful!

In Your merciful Name, Amen.

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭16

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭12

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 22

Glorious Jesus,

You are the firm foundation on which I can dance and sing and celebrate Your glorious Presence! I receive this precious gift as Your high and holy calling for me. You’ve shown me that glorifying and enjoying You is vastly more important than maintaining a tidy, structured life. Still, my natural tendency is to pour my energy into trying to keep everything under control. Help me relinquish this striving to be in control-recognizing that it’s both an impossible task and an affront to Your faithfulness.

I realize that You guide each of Your children individually.

That’s why listening to You through Scripture and prayer- is essential for me to find the way forward. Please prepare me for the day that awaits me and point me in the right direction.

Because You are with me continually, I don’t have to be intimidated by fear. Though it stalks me, I know it can’t harm me as long as I cling to Your hand. Instead of being fearful, I want to walk trustingly with You along my pathway-enjoying Peace in Your Presence.

In Your high and holy Name, Amen.

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭5‬:‭11

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young