Settling into a time of restful prayer isn’t the first thing you think about doing. Instead, turning on the TV, doing some gaming, checking social media, reading a book or finding a deal on Amazon might be the diversion of choice. Today, we'll go through an easy process you can engage in to find rest for your soul.

KEY PASSAGE:

Psalm 29:1-9 (NIV)

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

the voice of the Lord is majestic.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;

the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,

Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord strikes

with flashes of lightning.

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;

the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks

and strips the forests bare.

And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

RESOURCES:

Other Psalms to pray through:

• Psalm 8: The majesty of God.
• Psalm 18: God’s rescue, faithfulness, rock and shield.
• Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd.
• Psalm 29: The glory, strength and splendor of God.
• Psalm 33: God sees all from his throne in heaven.
• Psalm 47: God our King.
• Psalm 66: God hears us.
• Psalm 89: The wonderful faithfulness of God.
• Psalm 95: Let us kneel before the God our maker.
• Psalm 96: Sing to the Lord.
• Psalm 103: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
• Psalm 118: God’s loving devotion towards us.
• Psalm 136: God’s love endures forever.
• Psalm 148: God’s name alone is exalted.
• Psalm 150: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

--> Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

I’m a wimp when I’m sick. I complain and I want to be left alone. My wife, on the other hand, never complains. Even during her cancer treatment, she never once complained. She had good reason to, but always remained positive. Even on the hardest days during chemo, and its side-effects, she remained steady.

How in the world can we be a joyful Christian when pain and sickness crush us? I'll share three helpful ways in today's audio devotional. Then we'll try something together at the end.

KEY PASSAGE:

Psalm 148 (NIV)

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for at his command they were created,

and he established them for ever and ever—

he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

young men and women,

old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

And he has raised up for his people a horn,

the praise of all his faithful servants,

of Israel, the people close to his heart.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

How can we keep our attitude about money "in check" (no pun intended) so it doesn't control our emotions, or even our lives? Today, we'll turn the tables to see how money can actually feed our joy. And it may not be the way you expect. Listen closely to our audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (NIV)

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

There aren’t too many things more powerful than money that will affect a person’s joy.

Too much of it can make us miserable. Too little of it can make us depressed. Losing money, like in the stock market, can make us panic. A misbalanced bank account ledger can make us anxious.

Today, in our audio devotional, I'll share a unique idea that changed the lives of several of us who ran out of cash -- every month.

KEY PASSAGE:

Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Here's some great news as you start the New Year: God invites you to talk with him about anything on your mind. If you’re worried, lay it out to him. If you’re confused, ask for wisdom. If you have a need, tell him. If you want healing, ask.

We know from experience that God doesn’t answer all our prayers like we want him to. His answers to our prayers are often the opposite of what we’ve prayed. I’m sure you can think of some of those in your life.

How do we handle it when God doesn't answer at all? Let's tackle this delicate issue in today's audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

Luke 11:5-10 NIV

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Do you want to be a better prayer warrior for your family members in 2026? When you pray for your loved ones, you’re having a more powerful impact on their lives than perhaps any other person. You probably know them better than anyone else and can pray in detailed ways that others can’t. While their friends pray for the obvious things, you can go to a deeper level with God.

Today's audio devotional will kick start your new year. I'll share some practical ways you can faithfully pray for the people closest to you.

KEY PASSAGE:

Colossians 1:9-11 NIV

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Soon after we moved to North Carolina, Hurricane Florence swept through. It was a rude awakening for us. We had lived through earthquakes in California many years earlier, but hurricanes were new to us. Like any newbies, we ran. We played it safe and evacuated to our kids’ home in Tampa.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Super Typhoon Mangkhut was making its way across Southeast Asia with whopping 180 mph winds, compared to Florence at 130 mph. It narrowly missed Guam, but caused major damage and death in the Philippines, Hong Kong and China.

We contrast these two devastating events in today's audio devotional and learn how we tend to be shortsighted spiritually.

KEY PASSAGE:

Revelation 7:9-12 (NIV)

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.”

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

“Amen!

Praise and glory

and wisdom and thanks and honor

and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen!”

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

It's the day after Christmas. Let's not leave Jesus behind. In today's Christmas Week Audio Devotional, I'll keep Jesus in the forefront, as our Rescuer.

In one of the most publicized rescue attempts in recent years, two dozen soccer players were trapped in a cave in Thailand, with waters rising and oxygen diminishing. It was a story that captured the world as we saw daily reports of the daring rescue efforts.

Emergency services were deployed. Thai Navy Seals were called in. The underwater journey was so treacherous that experts calculated it would take 12 hours round trip to get any of the boys out.

Parents waited in agony to be reunited with their children, separated by an impassable barrier of rocks and water. They were helpless. The world was watching. Join me for the full story -- and then for a look at the greatest rescue in history.

KEY PASSAGE:

Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com