Your Nightly Scripture

Evening Scripture Proverbs, Chapter 14 The wisest of women builds her house,but folly with her own hands tears it down. Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord,but he who is devious in his ways despises him. By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. A faithful witness does not lie,but a false witness breathes out lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,But knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool,for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,but the folly of fools is deceiving. Fools mock at the guilt offering,but the upright enjoy acceptance. The heart knows its own bitterness,and no stranger shares its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed,but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache,and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. The simple believes everything,but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,but a fool is reckless and careless. A man of quick temper acts foolishly,and a man of evil devices is hated. The simple inherit folly,but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow down before the good,the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,but the rich has many friends. Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Do they not go astray who devise evil?Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness. In all toil there is profit,but mere talk tends only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their wealth,but the folly of fools brings folly. A truthful witness saves lives,but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,that one may turn away from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,but without people a prince is ruined. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,but envy makes the bones rot. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,but he who is generous to the needy honors him. The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,but the righteous finds refuge in his death. Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.  Righteousness exalts a nation,but sin is a reproach to any people. A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor,but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. Evening Reflection We all have those days when we get things wrong; it’s part of life, and it leaves us hungry for eternity. We lose our cool, share something we wanted to keep private, don’t get the job, miss the deadline, or forget to pay the parking ticket. These things happen; they don’t make us bad people; they just reveal our humanity. What matters most is what we do with our emotions in those moments. Will we be foolish and let ourselves unravel? Or will we walk with wisdom, sorting through what we’re dealing with in a Godly manner? Proverbs 14 paints a clear picture. It shows a stark difference between those who let the Lord lead them through the challenges of everyday choices and those who let folly control their hands and hearts. As children of God, we can turn to Him immediately in prayer when a challenge arises. When we realize we made a fumble, we can look to Him to learn how to course-correct. He will always be faithful to provide the next right thing; the best-suited solution to the problem lies in His hands. Tonight, as you surrender the things of your day to the Lord, ask Him: “Did I handle the day with your wisdom, or did I allow folly to have its way?” Be attuned to the Holy Spirit, repent if needed, and praise God for His work in your life. He cares for you and all the needs of your life – big and small. Evening Prayer Father, Thank you for being the giver of wisdom. As I journey through my life, I know I will make mistakes; please remind me that you are always willing to receive me. You have never asked me to be perfect, but you have called me to be wise. I pray to be a faithful follower of yours, choosing to live by your word and your ways. Help me be bold and calm for the Kingdom of God, not letting my emotions overtake me and ruin my witness to those around me. Thank you, Lord, for your gift of grace and endless mercy.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/  Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.   Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Matthew, Chapter 16 One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away. Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again, I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” Evening Reflection I like to think I trust God with my life. But if I’m honest, there have been plenty of times when I’ve trusted Him with some parts while desperately trying to control others. I’ll pray the words of God, let your will be done, while actually hoping His will looks exactly like mine. I’ll surrender something to Him and then pick it right back up when fear creeps in. I’ve especially struggled with this in seasons of waiting. When I desperately wanted God to answer a prayer, I didn’t just want an answer — I wanted to tell Him how and when it should happen. And often, when it didn’t happen the way I thought it was “supposed” to happen, I would once again try to control the situation the best way I knew how. Maybe you’ve been there too. In Matthew 16, Peter declares: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Yet shortly afterward, when Jesus explains what is going to happen to Him, Peter struggles to accept it. I can relate to that. Sometimes we can believe completely in who Jesus is while also struggle to trust what Jesus is doing. Jesus later tells His disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” Following Jesus means more than asking Him to bless the life we’ve already planned out for ourselves. Sometimes it means surrendering everything – our plans, our control, and even the idea of how we think things should go. It means truly releasing our thoughts around our plans and letting God’s plan be what leads us. I’ve learned that surrender doesn’t mean I stop wanting something or praying boldly for it. Surrender simply means telling Jesus the desire of your heart. He wants to know your desires, but then you must say, God – I trust you more than my own desire. Maybe there’s something you’re gripping tightly tonight: your family, future, health, a relationship, dream, or an unanswered prayer. You don’t have to understand what Jesus is doing to trust who He is. Tonight, open your hands and give Him that part too. Evening Prayer Father, You know the parts of my life I struggle to surrender. You know my plans, fears, dreams, and deepest prayers. Forgive me for the times I say I trust You while still trying to control the outcome. Help me remember Your faithfulness when Your plan looks different from mine. Tonight, I surrender what I’ve been gripping so tightly. I come to you tonight with open hands and an open heart to hear and do your will. I can pray boldly and still share with you the desires of my heart, but also still trust Your will. That even if you don’t answer my prayers the way I think best, that’s okay, because Your will be done. I don’t have to know what comes next because I know Who holds my life. Jesus, I trust You with every part — even this. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/  Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Ephesians 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles — Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Evening Reflection What is your first response when you start feeling weary in your circumstances? Maybe you reach for some chocolate? Grab a glass of wine? Curl up for a movie marathon? Or just have a good cry? All of those things are helpful, and sometimes a necessary part of resting, processing, and recovering, but those things alone won’t supply your soul with the strength that it needs to endure. Weariness requires supernatural intervention for us to stand up with strength when, by every other measure, we should be crumbling under the weight of our circumstances. Paul, the writer of Ephesians, offers us some instruction and encouragement for our weary hearts. When he writes these words, he is imprisoned in Rome because of his mission, which was to preach the gospel. He understood weariness but still found a way to offer words of encouragement to the emerging church. First, Paul reminds himself and his readers of the grace he received when he met Jesus. Paul realizes that every present suffering is temporary and worthwhile if it leads us closer to Jesus. This perspective protected his heart from bitterness and resentment when life grew hard and the mission God gave him became dangerous. Sometimes forcing ourselves to give thanks for our salvation is the first step we need to take to find encouragement in our circumstances. Next, Paul says he kneels before the Father in prayer. Prayer is so powerful! It changes things. Most importantly, prayer changes our hearts. In our darkest moments, prayer reminds us that we are not alone. That God loves us and is walking with us through life's valleys. God responds to our faith, and our faith is activated when we come before the Father in prayer. Finally, Paul boldly declares that God is able! He says God is able to do immeasurably more than we could think, ask, or even imagine. His declaration stirs up his faith and the faith of his readers. Even though circumstances may look bleak, we must always remember that God is able. His power is at work in us. Our strength for our weary moments is found in the Lord. He is able and will carry us through when we surrender our stories to Him for his glory. Evening Prayer Father, I offer you my weary heart. I am tired and weak, but I am reminded that you are able! I give thanks for the gift of your salvation. For your presence that never leaves me. No matter how difficult my circumstances feel, I can still give thanks for you! I bring you my circumstances. I ask that you provide me with the wisdom I need to move forward. Please renew my strength and return to me the joy of my salvation. Do what only you can do! I know you are able. Change my heart, bring breakthrough, and help me to cling to hope in this moment of exhaustion. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/  Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Psalm, Chapter 145 I will exalt you, my God the King;I will praise your name for ever and ever.Every day I will praise youand extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;his greatness no one can fathom.One generation commends your works to another;they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.They celebrate your abundant goodnessand joyfully sing of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all;he has compassion on all he has made.All your works praise you, Lord;your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdomand speak of your might,so that all people may know of your mighty actsand the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promisesand faithful in all he does.The Lord upholds all who falland lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you,and you give them their food at the proper time.You open your handand satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his waysand faithful in all he does.The Lord is near to all who call on him,to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;he hears their cry and saves them.The Lord watches over all who love him,but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.Let every creature praise his holy namefor ever and ever. Evening Reflection Resting in God’s faithfulness is not passive. It begins with choosing to praise Him — not just today or tomorrow, but continually throughout our days and beyond. Notice how this Psalm begins.  Notice also that we praise God not only for our wellbeing, but for future generations, too. Just as generations before remind us of God’s faithfulness, we add our testimony to theirs. Think of hymns about God’s faithfulness — songs written hundreds of years ago that still bring peace to your soul.  Psalm 145 then reminds us how God is faithful. He is faithful in His character, His actions, and His care for us.  Psalm 145 gives us reasons to trust in God’s unchanging nature through every changing season. David does not limit praise to easy or glorious days. “Every day” includes seasons of joy and disappointment, abundance and loss.  We can breathe freely because God’s faithfulness does not rise and fall with our circumstances. In every season, God remains the same — gracious, compassionate, patient, loving, good, and righteous. Rest comes from knowing the steadfastness of the One who holds our lives, even when we do not understand the life He has allowed. Rest comes from holding onto His faithful promises to hold us up when we fall and support us when we are weighed down. Rest comes from trusting His provision at the right time and not always at the time we choose.   Tonight, let praise bring you to a place of rest. Remember that God is faithful. Let the last words on your lips tonight anchor you in the faithfulness of God. Evening Prayer Lord God, I praise You because You are great and most worthy of praise. Your faithfulness reaches through every generation to me tonight. Help me rest in who You are — gracious, compassionate, and rich in love. You are good to me. You uphold me when I fall and give me strength when I can’t go on. Forgive me for the times I measure Your faithfulness by my circumstances or forget Your goodness when life feels uncertain. Teach me to praise You every day, not only when life is easy, but when I am waiting, grieving, tired, or unsure. Thank You that I do not have to hold myself together tonight, for You hold me. You know what I need and You provide at the right time.  Let praise quiet my mind and settle my soul as I sleep. May my life tell the next generation that You are good, trustworthy, and faithful forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/  Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Matthew, Chapter 6 Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Evening Reflection This is one of those chapters in the Bible that stops me in my tracks. Currently, I am walking through a season where hope feels extremely fragile and each day I am left questioning, “What if?” I have zero control of the outcome and if I am completely honest, fear, anxiety, and worry pulse through my body. This is not the way of peace and not the way Jesus intends for his believers to live. What parts of your life are you worried about? Is food or body image a god in your life? Do clothes (or a new home, new car, or new trend) have a grip on your attention? We want assurance. We want to know our needs will be met and our hopes fulfilled. Matthew 6:26 declares, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Isn’t it true? A bird chirps, gathers, flies, builds, and yet, doesn’t wonder if their needs will be met. Sometimes worry feels like we are doing something in a situation where we feel helpless. Doesn’t choosing joy feel better to carry than worry and fear? I’m preaching to myself, friends. So how do we choose joy and peace in our lives tonight? First, we obey Jesus. We pray and posture our hearts to Him and declare, “God, I want what is best for you. I trust you with my life and the things I am carrying and believe you will work all things together for the good of those who love you.” Second, we lean into verse 34. Jesus acknowledges today has trouble. Can we surrender the day to Him? What you are carrying is hard but you aren’t asked to carry it alone. Let’s pray, “Father, you are good and you know the stress, tension, and worries of my heart. You care. Walk with me and lighten the load. I surrender to you tonight.” Finally, we remember there is a real enemy of our souls who wants to kill, steal, and destroy our peace (John 10:10). Not tonight, devil! Christ came to give abundant life! We must remember to be on guard of the enemy’s tactics and realize the spiritual warfare we are facing each day. Remember, your Father in heaven loves you dearly and wants you to experience true freedom and peace. He will absolutely provide what you need, when you need it. You will be taken care of and His good plans for your life will prevail. Breathe easy tonight, for He is in control! Evening Prayer Father, The fear, the worry, and the anxiety are frying my nervous system. This isn’t how you want me to live. You want me to walk in freedom, peace, and abundant life. That is hard to do when I feel so intertwined in anxiety. I pray you would break the bondage of fear that my heart, mind, and body have silently agreed to. I pray for healing in my heart and I surrender the outcome to you. I invite your Holy Spirit to work this part of my story for your good and seek your Kingdom and your will in my life. I am a living sacrifice and all I have, all I love, and all that I desire to do belongs to you and your Lordship in my life. Be near and walk with me. When fear starts to creep in, nudge my heart to release it in the name of Jesus. Amen. Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.