Some of us don’t need to be taught how to worry or strive for perfection—our minds arrive there naturally. Anxiety, high expectations, and the desire to “get it all right” can feel baked into who we are. And when we cling tightly to perfectionism, peace feels impossibly far away. We may know about grace and mercy, but deep down, we treat them like gold stars we have to earn, and each imperfect day convinces us they may not belong to us at all.

But peace, true peace, is not meant for the mind that wanders or the heart that easily attaches itself to anything that promises meaning. Peace must settle deeper than that—into the soul, the place God has secured for eternity. It is there, in the quiet depths of who we truly are, that Christ plants His peace.

Peace can feel elusive, like a hidden treasure we never quite find. Yet Scripture assures us that peace isn’t something we achieve—it's Someone we know. Jesus doesn’t ask us to manufacture peace on our own. Instead, He offers His peace—His own possession, His own steady presence—as a gift.

In John 14:27, He says, “My peace I give to you.” Not a worldly peace that depends on stable circumstances, predictable days, or perfect relationships, but a heavenly peace that sustains us even when our humanity feels fragile.

This is why the world’s anxieties cannot steal what Christ places within us. Peace must come from outside of us—outside of this world—and be delivered straight from heaven. That’s why the lullaby in Silent Night sings, “Sleep in heavenly peace.” Jesus could rest because He was peace itself.

At Christmas, we remember that the baby in the manger is the Prince of Peace. Because He came, we have access to a peace stronger than anxiety, deeper than worry, and more enduring than anything we could ever create on our own.

May that peace settle over you like a gentle covering this season—and may it fill the very place Jesus designed to hold it: your soul.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“He himself is our peace.”
— Ephesians 2:14

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Jesus,
Thank You for never placing the weight of sustaining peace on our shoulders. You know our frailty, and You love us still. Teach me to release my grip on control and perfection, and to look to You alone for the peace my soul longs for. Let the same heavenly peace that rested in a manger rest in me tonight. Help me share that peace with those around me this Christmas.
In Your holy name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO PONDER


Peace isn’t achieved—it’s received.
Am I treating peace and grace like achievements instead of gifts from Jesus?


Peace belongs in the soul, not the mind.
Am I seeking peace through understanding and control instead of through surrender?


Heavenly peace is already mine.
Will I rest in the truth that lasting peace comes only from knowing the Prince of Peace?

Some of us don&rsquo;t need to be taught how to worry or strive for perfection&mdash;our minds arrive there naturally. Anxiety, high expectations, and the desire to &ldquo;get it all right&rdquo; can feel baked into who we are. And when we cling tightly to perfectionism, peace feels impossibly far away. We may know about grace and mercy, but deep down, we treat them like gold stars we have to earn, and each imperfect day convinces us they may not belong to us at all.
But peace, true peace, is not meant for the mind that wanders or the heart that easily attaches itself to anything that promises meaning. Peace must settle deeper than that&mdash;into the soul, the place God has secured for eternity. It is there, in the quiet depths of who we truly are, that Christ plants His peace.
Peace can feel elusive, like a hidden treasure we never quite find. Yet Scripture assures us that peace isn&rsquo;t something we achieve&mdash;it's Someone we know. Jesus doesn&rsquo;t ask us to manufacture peace on our own. Instead, He offers His peace&mdash;His own possession, His own steady presence&mdash;as a gift.
In John 14:27, He says, &ldquo;My peace I give to you.&rdquo; Not a worldly peace that depends on stable circumstances, predictable days, or perfect relationships, but a heavenly peace that sustains us even when our humanity feels fragile.
This is why the world&rsquo;s anxieties cannot steal what Christ places within us. Peace must come from outside of us&mdash;outside of this world&mdash;and be delivered straight from heaven. That&rsquo;s why the lullaby in Silent Night sings, &ldquo;Sleep in heavenly peace.&rdquo; Jesus could rest because He was peace itself.
At Christmas, we remember that the baby in the manger is the Prince of Peace. Because He came, we have access to a peace stronger than anxiety, deeper than worry, and more enduring than anything we could ever create on our own.
May that peace settle over you like a gentle covering this season&mdash;and may it fill the very place Jesus designed to hold it: your soul.
TONIGHT&rsquo;S SCRIPTURE
&ldquo;He himself is our peace.&rdquo; &mdash; Ephesians 2:14
<hr data-start="2308" data-end="2311">
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Jesus, Thank You for never placing the weight of sustaining peace on our shoulders. You know our frailty, and You love us still. Teach me to release my grip on control and perfection, and to look to You alone for the peace my soul longs for. Let the same heavenly peace that rested in a manger rest in me tonight. Help me share that peace with those around me this Christmas. In Your holy name, Amen.
<hr data-start="2751" data-end="2754">
THREE THINGS TO PONDER
<ol data-start="2789" data-end="3184">
<li data-start="2789" data-end="2913">
Peace isn&rsquo;t achieved&mdash;it&rsquo;s received. Am I treating peace and grace like achievements instead of gifts from Jesus?
</li>
<li data-start="2915" data-end="3050">
Peace belongs in the soul, not the mind. Am I seeking peace through understanding and control instead of through surrender?
</li>
<li data-start="3052" data-end="3184">
Heavenly peace is already mine. Will I rest in the truth that lasting peace comes only from knowing the Prince of Peace?
</li>
</ol>

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio.com and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio.com and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christians

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Peace on Earth, Peace in You

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/2baf968f-289c-42ad-9b4c-b3b100eb307a/transcript

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