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A Prayer for When We Feel Less Than by Doris Swift

What about those moments when we feel “less than"? Maybe it’s in the kitchen, the carpool line, or somewhere between laundry loads and late-night emails. Today's episode by Doris Swift reminds us that God’s grace is enough for every weakness, and our value isn’t found in our abilities, achievements, or how we measure up to others. Instead, our worth is secure in Christ, who makes us more than enough.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gifts and talents you've given us to use for your glory. When we're feeling inadequate and less than, help us remember that your grace is sufficient and that our worth is not based on works or achievements. Our worth is found in you. Please help us to live this out daily and to teach you to our children and grandchildren. In Jesus' name, amen.

LINKS:

5 Promises of God to Build Faith 

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When the colder months trigger grief, anxiety, or seasonal depression, Psalm 94:19 offers an anchor: God’s consolation brings real joy even when our hearts feel heavy. Fall and winter can stir painful memories, shorten our daylight, and intensify emotional weight—but these seasons don’t have to be walked alone. God meets us in the darkness, understands the sorrow we carry, and invites us to bring every fear, memory, and ache to Him for comfort and healing.

Highlights

• Seasonal shifts can stir grief, trauma, or depression, making fall and winter emotionally overwhelming.

• Psalm 94:19 reminds us that God brings joy even when anxiety runs deep.

• Talking with God—and with trusted loved ones or professionals—creates space for healing.

• Painful seasons don’t mean you’re alone; God fully understands the weight you carry.

• New memories, community, and small steps of connection can help soften the heaviness.

• With God, joy can return even to seasons marked by loss or sorrow.

• Healing often comes slowly, but God remains present and tender with every step.

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

When the Fall and Winter Seasons Feel Heavy
By Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” - Psalm 94:19 

Autumn is a season of beautiful leaves, crisp air, and an endless array of pumpkin-themed sweets. For many, the autumn season rings in fond memories and excitement for the upcoming holidays. However, for some, the colder months loom like a dark cloud.

At one time, I, too, loved the autumn season as I was excited to see the leaves change, go trick-or-treating, and get ready for the start of the holiday season. However, each fall has a heaviness over it ever since my mom passed away a few autumns ago. Ever since then, it has been difficult to associate these months with anything else.

Fall can be heavy, and it can be overwhelming at times for many of us. Perhaps, like me, you experienced a traumatic life event that clouds each autumn with sad memories. Or, perhaps you experience seasonal depression during the fall and winter - something that is common among many people. The days get shorter, and we’re left in darkness for much longer. Know that whatever it may be that is bringing heaviness into your life during this time, you are not alone. 

If you feel that fall is a difficult season to navigate, it is essential to talk with God as well as loved ones about w

This week, we explore the profound impact of service and caretaking for others, as highlighted by our two inspiring guests, former governor and presidential candidate John Kasich, and former governor Marty Schreiber. Join us as they share their personal journeys and insights into how dedicating oneself to the well-being of others can transform lives, both for those who serve and those who receive care.

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Justin Knoop

Upcoming interview: Cristina Baker

Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season

John Kasich

Ohio State

Heaven Help Us

Marty Schreiber

Dementia

www.mytwoelaines.com

My Two Elaines

Interview Quotes:

“All of us who go through trials and tribulations, which we all do in one way or another,, we can hang in there. Even though very bad things can happen, there’s a higher power that cares about you and loves you even through difficult times.” - John Kasich

“When I ran for president, the people that I was meeting with, they didn’t really care about my position on issues. They really cared that I cared about them.” - John Kasich

“If people can get involved in some way in their community, where you would be helping somebody else—helping somebody else is going to make you feel good.” - John Kasich

“People are so focused on these things that are far away instead of focused on what’s happening right next door. Because of my Father’s love for me, I believe fundamentally that we have a God who loves us, forgives us, gives us grace, gives us gifts, and encourages us. Faith, to me, is a gift. I think that’s something I can hold on to.” - John Kasich 

“We may lose something, but we may never allow ourselves to feel defeated.” - Marty Schreiber

“A person morphs into being a caregiver, and because of that morphing process, the mind, the energy, and the psychology—all of that has to change you as you morph from being a loving husband or spouse to being a caregiver.” - Marty Schreiber 

“A caregiver understands the importance of joining the world of this person who now is. And a caregiver has to let go of this person who once was so that we can now embrace the person who is now.” - Marty Schreiber 

“I had a chance, really, by the grace of God, to love two Elaines and to take care of two Elaines and to repay her for all of the great, wonderful things she did for me during our married life.” - Marty Schreiber 

“The medical profession does not understand that when there is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, there are

Cuando pasamos la tormenta, descubrimos que Dios no solo nos sostiene, sino que nos recuerda que tenemos un propósito. Ese propósito no se vive únicamente en momentos extraordinarios, sino en lo cotidiano: en la forma en que amamos, trabajamos y servimos. Tu crisis no cancela tu propósito, ¡la revela! Y lo que hoy es tu dolor, mañana será tu testimonio de esperanza.

Escrito por Mercy Cosme

CANAL EN TELEGRAM

GRUPO EN WHATSAPP

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Have you ever felt invisible — like your prayers were bouncing off the ceiling, and even God had gone quiet? As our daily prayer and devotional remind us, In those moments of deep loneliness or misunderstanding, it’s easy to believe that God has forgotten you. But Isaiah 58:9 offers a promise we can cling to: when we call, the Lord answers; when we cry for help, He says, “Here am I.”

Rachel Wojo, host of Untangling Prayer, shares a personal story of feeling isolated after a painful workplace conflict. The tension left her feeling unseen and rejected, not only by her coworkers but even, for a time, by God. Yet when she brought her hurt and bitterness honestly before Him, everything changed. The situation didn’t resolve instantly, but God’s presence brought peace. His silence, she discovered, was not His absence.

The Hebrew word for “answer” in this passage means to respond or pay attention. That means when you pray, God is not distracted or distant. You have His full attention. Even when you can’t hear His voice or sense His hand at work, He is near — fully aware of your pain, your prayers, and your needs.

If you feel forgotten today, take comfort in this truth: God sees you. He hears you. And when you call, His loving response is always, “Here am I.”

Today's Bible Reading:
“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” – Isaiah 58:9

Takeaway Truths

• God’s silence never means His absence.

• You are seen, known, and deeply loved by your Creator.

• When you call to Him, He answers with His presence and peace.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father,

When I feel forgotten, unseen, or unheard, remind me of Your promise that when I call, You will answer. Thank You that Your silence is never indifference — it is often an invitation to draw closer to You.

Help me to release bitterness, fear, and doubt, and to rest in the assurance that You are always near. When others overlook or misunderstand me, let me remember that You know me fully and love me completely.

Thank You for being the God who sees, hears, and stays. You are faithful, even in the quiet.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Related Scriptures

• Psalm 34:17 — “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

• Deuteronomy 31:8 — “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website.

.

If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

.

The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

.

To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If there’s one thing we can count on in this life, it’s uncertainty. In our nightly prayer and devotional, we reflect on the fact that none of us knows what tomorrow will bring — a sudden change, a hard diagnosis, or simply a fog of confusion about what comes next. These moments often bring anxiety because uncertainty exposes our lack of control.

Clarence Haynes Jr. reminds us that uncertainty and trust are closely linked. It’s easy to say we trust God when life is steady, but true trust is proven when we have no choice but to rely on Him. That’s when faith moves from theory to reality.

Philippians 4:6 gives us God’s prescription for anxiety: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Notice the phrase “with thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving is what transforms our prayers from desperate pleading into confident trust.

When life is uncertain, gratitude becomes your anchor in two powerful ways:

1. Thank God for what He’s already done.
   Look back and remember His faithfulness — every answered prayer, every door opened, every storm He’s carried you through. Gratitude builds confidence that He will be faithful again.

2. Thank God for what He’s going to do.
   When you thank Him in advance, you declare your trust that the same God who came through before will come through again. Gratitude shifts your heart from fear of “what if” to faith in “He will.”

Clarence shares how he’s often come before God with a heavy, anxious heart — but when he began praying with thanksgiving, something shifted. The weight didn’t always lift because the problem disappeared, but because the outcome was placed back in God’s hands. That’s the miracle of gratitude: it turns worry into worship and fear into peace.

When you choose thankfulness in uncertainty, you’re not denying reality — you’re declaring your trust in a faithful God who holds tomorrow.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
— Philippians 4:6

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• Life’s uncertainty reveals the depth of your trust in God.

• Gratitude is the antidote to anxiety — it transforms fear into faith.

• Thankfulness anchors your heart in God’s past faithfulness and future promises.

“I was tormented. Literally tormented. I'd look in the mirror and go, ‘What are you doing? That’s not you.’”

Brandon Puffer had everything, or so it seemed. He was a Major League pitcher with a World Series ring and was even being groomed to be a big league coach. But beneath the success were so many secret wounds that he refused to deal with. One night, after years of quiet compromising and numbing pain with alcohol, he made a decision that changed everything.

In this episode, Brandon tells his story with raw honesty—from a childhood shaped by trauma and numbing, to five years of sobriety and faith, to the night that landed him in a Texas prison. He shares how small compromises led to massive consequences, what repentance really looks like, and how God’s grace can redeem even the most broken story.

This isn’t a tale of excuses—it’s one of ownership, humility, and the long, painful work of redemption.

We explore:

— The slippery slope from “one drink” to full relapse
— How trauma and insecurity planted the seeds of addiction
— Why white-knuckling sobriety never works
— What true repentance means: turning, not just confessing
— How taking full responsibility became his path to freedom
— The consequences that remain even after grace
— How to live unashamed when the world won’t forget
— Why humility, gratitude, and daily discipline keep him sober
— What it means to be “faithful in the little things” after hitting bottom

Website: coachpuffpositive.com

Book: From the Bullpen to the State Pen

Follow Jon: @jonseidl

Order Jon's new book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic.

Get daily motivation: www.theveritasdaily.com

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Today’s Bible Verse:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” — Romans 12:12

Paul gives us a three-part rhythm for steady faith in chaotic seasons: hold onto hope, stay patient when life squeezes tight, and keep praying even when answers feel slow. This verse reminds us that spiritual endurance isn’t about pretending everything’s fine—it’s about anchoring ourselves to the God who is. When joy wavers, hope carries it. When pressure rises, patience steadies us. And through it all, prayer keeps our hearts in step with His.

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Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Carol at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Carol Ogle McCracken is a dynamic Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher known for her warmth, humor, and transparency. She brings biblical truths to life through real-world stories and relatable experiences—whether navigating alcohol recovery, parenting a child with special needs, or walking through divorce.

Today, she serves as Minister of Discipleship at her local church and shares God’s Word through women's retreats, conferences, and online devotionals. Her book, Wisdom: Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, was released in 2020 and continues to encourage readers in their pursuit of godly wisdom.

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