December 26, 2025 // Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
Reflect on the Word //
Overwhelmed by the world news as well as typical family life one night, I bounced from email to texts to emotional snacking before finally directing my anxious energy to the Lord. I turned on a calm worship playlist, lit an incense-scented candle, and breathed deeply. Into Your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You’re in control; lead me.
The words “I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31:6) once made me think only of death. I probably associated this Psalm with Jesus’ dying words from the Cross: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). As a child, I didn’t understand the idea of a daily surrender to the Lord. Instead, I could only imagine myself uttering the words as a final prayer with my last breath, like Jesus did.
A friend introduced me to the Surrender Novena, which includes the words, “Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything.” Perfect for all circumstances, I frequently whisper specific intentions throughout my day inspired by this prayer. It’s become my “Jesus, fix it!” prayer.
It turns out that the Surrender Novena isn’t too different from Psalm 31:6. I no longer think of my last breath as the only time to commend my spirit to God; rather, I see that every offering of my self counts. Today and each day, I commend myself to the Lord. Jesus, I surrender myself into Your hands, take care of everything. Take care of me as I face challenges. Take care of my relationships. Into Your hands, I place my plans; align them to Your will. Into Your hands, Lord . . . I give You everything.
In today’s liturgy, we celebrate Saint Stephen, the first martyr. I like to imagine him as a man who knew and prayed often with the words of the Psalm: “Lead and guide me. [. . .] Into your hands I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31:4, 6). In imitation of Saint Stephen, we too can freely surrender to God’s will, commending our spirits to Him each day and at our death.
Relate to the Lord // Pray slowly and in faith, Jesus, I surrender myself into Your hands, take care of everything.
Gina Fensterer is a wife and mother of six children. She is passionate about finding God in the ordinary moments of her vocation. She loves Adoration, praying with Scripture, long morning walks, and fitness. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Read more by her here.
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