A prayer for an unhurried heart + a present mind this December

Another Monday, another mercy. 🤍✨

Jesus, thank You for meeting me here at the start of December—
before the noise gets loud,
before the schedule takes over,
before I start carrying what You never asked me to hold.

You know how quickly my thoughts speed up this time of year—
how easily I slip into doing instead of being,
how often I move through moments without actually living them.

So slow me with Your nearness.
Let Your presence soften my pace.
Help me see that You meet me in quiet places—
in the breath I finally take,
in the pause I almost skipped,
in the small mercies I miss when I rush.

Because the truth is: I don’t want to miss You this month.
I don’t want to race past beauty trying to “keep up.”
And I don’t want to forget that the warmth of Christmas isn’t earned—
it’s received through awareness.

When my mind runs toward outcomes, ground me here.
When I try to outrun discomfort, anchor me where You already are.
When old self-reliance tugs, pull me back into dependence—
because that’s where peace is found.

Help me practice presence in real life:
🤍 Noticing small joys before new worries.
🤍 Choosing tenderness over tension.
🤍 Pausing before reacting.
🤍 Making tiny spaces for my soul to breathe.
🤍 Remembering that hurry has never helped me love well.

Thank You for the steady gifts tucked into this month—
the glow of lights, familiar voices,
the miracle of breath and belonging,
the comfort of knowing You’re close even when life feels full.

So today, Jesus, I’ll move slower.
I’ll see what I usually miss.
I’ll let joy come naturally.
And when the rush tries to pull me into proving or performing, I’ll remember:

I don’t have to do everything.
I don’t have to be everything.
I just have to stay close to You—
the One who carries what I can’t.

You steady me.
You lead me.
And I’m grateful—again and again, I’m grateful 🤍