God with Us in the Ordinary
Your Nightly Prayer
by Clarence Haynes Jr.
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“And they will call him Immanuel—which means, ‘God with us.’” - Matthew 1:23
SOMETHING TO PONDER
I still remember one evening back in college, sitting in the library with my accounting textbook propped open in front of me. The table was long and wide, and the wooden chair I was sitting in felt more uncomfortable by the minute. There were rows of students scattered throughout the floor, heads buried in books, each lost in their own world. For me, at that moment, my mind was somewhere else. The pages in front of me felt like a foreign language. My brain refused to cooperate, and the only thing heavier than the textbook was my lack of motivation.
Recognizing I needed help, I whispered a quick prayer: “God, give me some motivation to study.” At that point, the heavens opened, and a thunderbolt of inspiration hit me. That would be the Hollywood version, but that is not what happened to me. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, and I prepared myself to push through to get it done.
After sitting for a little while, a young woman walked over, holding the same textbook. I guess it helped that she was attractive. Anyway, she smiled and said, “I see you’re in this class too. I’m really struggling with this chapter. Would you mind if I studied with you?”
For the next two hours, we worked through the material together. The brain freeze and lack of motivation of the last few minutes quickly left. The burden of pushing through this alone was lifted. After finishing the study session, I walked out of the library that night (no, I didn’t ask for her number), and a realization hit me. God had answered my prayer. Not with a lightning bolt or a flash of brilliance, but by sending a classmate. That night reminded me that God shows up in the ordinary.
The Presence of Immanuel
We often look for God in the big, dramatic moments. We expect him to show up in burning bushes, parted seas, or miraculous healings. While he certainly can, those are the outliers and not the norm. More often than not, he reveals himself in quiet ways, woven into the everyday fabric of our lives.
That’s why the name Jesus carries is so critical. Immanuel means “God with us.” That’s not just a theological concept; it’s a promise. Jesus is with us in the highlight reels of life, but also in the quiet valleys and daily routines. He is with you when you’re celebrating a promotion, and when you’re folding laundry. When your prayers are eloquent, and when all you can muster is a weary sigh, he is still Immanuel, God with us. There will never be a moment when his presence leaves you. You are never forsaken, never abandoned, and never overlooked. Even in the monotony of life, he is there.
The Weight of Ordinary Life
Sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t a crisis but the grind. The endless commute, the endless dishes, the endless responsibilities. Life’s ordinary moments can lull us into believing God is distant, like he only shows up for “big events.” But Immanuel means his presence is constant and does not come and go like the seasons.
In biblical times, a name wasn’t just a label. It revealed character and essence. When Matthew tells us Jesus’ name is Immanuel, he is declaring the very heart of Jesus. He is the God who steps into the routine, into the messy, into the unnoticed parts of your life, and says, “I am here.”
So when you feel disconnected, when you are convinced your struggles are too small to matter, remember his name. Remember Immanuel. Jesus is not a distant deity observing from afar. He is the God who walks with you through the library, sits with you in traffic, and listens to the quietest prayers of your heart. He is God with us, Immanuel.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
Thank you for being present with me in both the extraordinary and the ordinary. Teach me to see your hand in the seemingly insignificant details of my day and remind me I am never walking alone. Help me rest in this truth that you are Immanuel, God with us, and that your presence is enough for today and every day.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Immanuel means you are never truly alone, no matter how ordinary your day feels.
2. God often answers prayers in simple and unexpected ways.
3. His presence is not reserved for mountaintop moments but saturates the everyday moments of your life.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Tony Rowell
He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.
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Originally published Sunday, 30 November 2025.
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