God,
I come to you with a heart that is doing its best to keep up.
This season is beautiful,
But it is also heavy.
It brings expectations,
Memories,
Deadlines,
And emotions I never scheduled into my day.
So I'm asking for something simple.
Help me breathe.
Help me settle my shoulders.
Help me remember that I am one woman and not a full production team working behind the scenes of everyone else's holiday magic.
I ask for strength in the moments that feel too full.
I ask for patience when the noise gets loud and the to-do list starts multiplying like it has a life of its own.
Wrap me in calm when my mind tries to jump ahead to everything that could go wrong.
Give me the steadiness to stay rooted in what is true.
I am safe.
I am held.
I am supported.
God,
Lift the pressure I put on myself to make everything perfect.
Remind me that perfection is not the point of this season.
Presence is.
Peace is.
Love is.
Let me release what is not mine to carry.
Give me the courage to say no when I need to,
The grace to step back when my spirit is tired,
And the confidence to trust that everything important will still get done.
When old wounds rise up,
Soften them.
When loneliness creeps in,
Fill the quiet with comfort.
When family dynamics start acting like a reality show,
Guide my reaction so I am proud of how I show up.
Steady my breath.
Steady my emotions.
Steady my thoughts.
Let my heart be a calm room inside a noisy world.
I ask for clarity to see what matters and what does not.
Help me choose joy even in small doses.
Help me to notice the moments that bring warmth,
The way the lights glow on a cold evening,
The laughter that slips in when I least expect it,
The quiet moments when I feel you nudging me to slow down and rest for just a moment.
God,
Remind me that I am allowed to care for myself during this season.
I am allowed to pause.
I'm allowed to feel.
I am allowed to take up space even when life gets crowded.
Fill me with the confidence to protect my peace the way I protect everyone else's comfort.
Let me honor my body,
My time,
And my spirit.
Cover my home with calm energy.
Cover my heart with protection.
Cover my mind with steady truth.
Let peace be my foundation no matter what is happening around me.
Let me walk through these days with a quiet strength that surprises even me.
And God,
Give me hope.
Renew my faith that better days are ahead.
Remind me that stress is temporary but your presence is constant.
Guide me gently through this season and help me come out stronger,
Softer,
And more connected to myself than I was before.
Amen.