Your Daily Prayer

Promises can inspire hope—but they can also stir up skepticism when we’ve been let down by others. We’ve all experienced “promises” that didn’t mean much because the person making them wasn’t trustworthy. But this devotional reminds us of a life-giving truth: God’s promises are different. His Word is dependable, and His character guarantees what He says. Still, even with confidence in God’s faithfulness, there is one stage that can feel especially hard: waiting. There’s often excitement when God gives a promise and joy when it’s fulfilled—but the middle space, the waiting, is where hope is tested. It’s the place where we start asking questions, where we wonder if God sees us, and where discouragement can creep in. Waiting is difficult because it’s uncertain. We don’t know if the answer will come in days, months, or years. This devotional offers encouragement for those in that middle place—those who are still praying, still believing, but feeling worn down by time. Rather than pulling back, we’re invited to lean in. Pray more, not less. Worship more, not less. Hold tighter to God’s promises instead of loosening your grip. These actions won’t force God’s timing, but they will strengthen you and give you grace to endure while you wait. And even though we may not know when God will fulfill what He has promised, we can trust that He will. Waiting isn’t wasted. God uses it to shape our character, deepen our faith, and teach us what it means to rely on Him. So if you’re waiting today, don’t lose heart. God is faithful—and you will see His goodness in the land of the living. Main Takeaways A promise is only as trustworthy as the one who makes it—and God’s promises never fail. The hardest part of faith is often the “middle” between promise and fulfillment. Waiting can challenge hope, but it also strengthens trust and builds character. Instead of pulling back when hope feels thin, lean in through prayer and worship. God’s timing may not match ours, but He is always faithful to fulfill His Word. Today’s Bible Verse: Psalm 27:13–14 Your Daily Prayer Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer: “Help me not to lose heart and make my faith strong… give me more grace to lean into your promises.” You can read the full prayer and devotional at the links below. Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Lies often begin as an attempt to avoid pain—whether it’s a small exaggeration meant to spare feelings or a major deception that shakes a relationship to its core. But this devotional reminds us that while lies promise comfort, they ultimately deliver harm. Deceit doesn’t just damage the relationship between two people; it also erodes the integrity of the one who lies and creates a ripple effect of distrust that can last far beyond the original betrayal. And even when forgiveness is present, healing is not always immediate. Forgiving someone doesn’t automatically erase the consequences of what happened, and it doesn’t require us to pretend we weren’t hurt. In fact, it’s natural to protect ourselves after trust is broken. But one of the painful realities this devotional highlights is how easily we can carry that hurt forward—projecting distrust onto new people who haven’t done anything wrong. This is where “the truth hurts”: truth asks us not to remain closed off forever, but to live with a heart that’s willing to love again. Trusting again doesn’t mean ignoring red flags or throwing caution to the wind. It means letting God heal what was broken so we aren’t trapped by bitterness or fear. It means allowing discernment to guide us while keeping our hearts open enough to receive the blessings God still wants to bring—new friendships, restored hope, and even new love. The devotional encourages us to remember that God never wastes brokenness. He shines through it, heals it, and can rebuild what feels shattered. When we place our confidence in Him, we can move forward with courage, believing that God is still writing fruit-bearing chapters ahead. Main Takeaways Lies may feel protective in the moment, but they ultimately damage trust and relationships. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the reality of hurt, and healing takes time. It’s easy to project distrust onto new people after betrayal, but truth calls us to trust wisely again. Discernment matters—open-hearted trust is not the same as ignoring red flags. God can redeem brokenness and lead you into relationships and blessings that bear fruit. Today’s Bible Verse: Jeremiah 17:7–8 Your Daily Prayer Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer: “Father, thank you for being a God we can trust. Your loving faithfulness has proven itself over and over.” You can read the full prayer and devotional at the links below. Want More? Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Disappointment has a way of showing up unexpectedly—sometimes through life-altering hardship, and sometimes through smaller shifts that still sting deeply. This devotional reminds us that even when our disappointments feel insignificant compared to others’ struggles, they still matter to God because they matter to us. And while we may wish disappointing days would disappear completely, Scripture is honest that trouble is part of life. But so is God’s steady presence. One of the most comforting truths offered here is that disappointment is not proof that God is disappointed in us. It isn’t a sign that we’ve done something wrong or that we’ve fallen out of favor. Instead, God knows exactly where we are, and He has not abandoned us in the space we’re in. The devotional points to Psalm 18:19 as a reminder that God rescues and provides refuge because He delights in His children. That means even when circumstances feel cramped, heavy, or discouraging, God can still lead us into a “spacious place”—a place where peace is present, where protection is real, and where we can still see His blessings at work. God’s delight in us is constant. And in return, He invites us to find our delight in Him—even on disappointing days. That doesn’t mean ignoring sorrow or forcing happiness. It means turning toward the One who remains faithful, who offers refuge in the middle of our letdowns, and who is guiding us toward a future shaped by His goodness. Even in disappointment, we are never outside God’s care, His plan, or His delight. Main Takeaways Disappointment is part of life, but it is never proof that God is disappointed in you. God is not surprised by your circumstances—He is present and active in them. The Lord offers refuge and rescue in the very middle of discouragement. God delights in you consistently, even when your joy feels threatened. You can find true delight in God’s presence, even on hard days. Today’s Bible Verse: Psalm 18:19 Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes by Keri Eichberger Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

New beginnings often come with mixed emotions. While we long for what’s fresh and restored, stepping into something new usually requires letting go of what’s familiar—even when it’s uncomfortable or painful. This devotional paints that picture through a story of a guarded man who finds healing when he chooses forgiveness, community, and courage over isolation. His journey reflects a deeper spiritual truth: new life almost always involves release before renewal. Scripture reminds us that following Christ means intentionally setting aside old ways of thinking, behaving, and believing. That process can feel like a kind of death—dying to habits and identities that once defined us. But just as Christ’s death made resurrection possible, our willingness to surrender the old self opens the door to the new life God has promised. Salvation may be a one-time event, but living it out is a daily decision. Putting on the “new self” is not passive. It’s a repeated choice to live according to who God says we are, even when it feels costly or unfamiliar. New beginnings may stretch us, require sacrifice, or invite us into situations we’d rather avoid—but we never walk that path alone. God goes before us, walks beside us, and empowers us by His Spirit. Because of Christ, we can move forward with confidence, trusting that the God of new beginnings is faithful to complete what He has started. Main Takeaways New beginnings often require letting go of old habits, attitudes, or identities. Following Christ involves an intentional, daily choice to live as a new creation. Growth can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for spiritual renewal. Christ’s death and resurrection make our new life possible. God walks with us into every new beginning, empowering us by His Spirit. Today’s Bible Verse: Ephesians 4:22–24 Your Daily Prayer “Lord, help me to put on my new self daily and lay aside my old ways of sin, including patterns of thinking and behaviors that are contrary to Your will.” Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Bitterness has a way of settling deep into our hearts—especially when we’ve experienced injustice, betrayal, suffering, or pain that feels undeserved. And when it takes root, it doesn’t just stay quietly in the background. It can slowly drain our joy, distort our perspective, and keep us from experiencing the goodness God wants for us. Left unchecked, bitterness becomes a life-killer—squeezing the peace and freedom out of our lives from the inside out. This devotional reminds us that bitterness isn’t something we can conquer through willpower alone. Even with all the tools the world offers—self-help programs, personal improvement plans, or counseling strategies—true freedom from bitterness requires something deeper: forgiveness. Forgiveness is the doorway that releases us from the grip bitterness has on our souls. And while forgiving someone who isn’t sorry—or doesn’t believe they’ve done anything wrong—can feel impossible, God never asks us to do it alone. He supplies strength and grace so that we can let go of what we were never meant to carry. As we step into a new year, this is an invitation to leave bitterness behind—before it becomes a root that grows and spreads. The call is clear: obey God’s instruction to release it, and trust Him to heal what you cannot fix. Jesus not only taught forgiveness—He demonstrated it, even while suffering on the cross. That same power and grace are available to you today. God is ready to help you loosen your grip on bitterness and step forward into a freer, lighter, more joy-filled future. Main Takeaways Bitterness can take root quietly but become spiritually and emotionally destructive over time. Freedom from bitterness requires forgiveness—not just time, effort, or self-improvement. Forgiving others can feel impossible, especially when they aren’t sorry, but God gives strength to do what we can’t do alone. A new year is an opportunity to release what is poisoning your heart and walk into greater peace. Jesus modeled forgiveness, proving that grace and freedom are possible even in deep pain. Today’s Bible Verse: Ephesians 4:31 Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.