“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10)
Lord Jesus, in a world of global instability and personal vulnerability, hard providences and unfinished stories—it is a source of immeasurable peace to know you as the God of “I am’s” and “I will’s.” You tell us to “Fear not!”—not, “Buck up!” Because outcomes belong to you as surely as heaven, earth, and history do.
As our Immanuel, you are with us and for us. As our King, you are sovereign over every little “k” king, cancer cell, and crisis. As our Savior—you lived and died for us, and now we live in you and you in us. Jesus, you are as trustworthy as you are worship-worthy. Here are some of the things we need your “help” with in the last month of 2025. It’s a different kind of Christmas list—one you welcome from us. Jesus, free us to…
- Trust you with our loved one’s diagnosis, surgery, and future.
- Surrender our expectations, anxieties, and whatever is fueling our anger.
- “Dance” in broken relationships while Christmas music is playing.
- Accept changes we did not choose, limitations we do not like, and stories we would not write.
- Take over-due responsibility for the messes we’ve made, the pain we’ve caused, and the stubbornness we’ve shown.
Jesus, we abandon ourselves to you right now as this day begins, is half over, or the sun is setting. We absolutely love the two “I am’s” and three “I will’s” of Isaiah 41:10. You don’t only have “the whole world in your hands”—but each of us as well. So Very Amen.
