The Prayer of Praise

Imagine being there as a young Mary—likely no older than fourteen—walked into the hills of Judea to embrace her cousin Elizabeth. In that moment, Mary’s heart overflowed with the Magnificat, a prayer that would echo through generations as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef highlights why Mary’s prayer matters so deeply for your everyday faith. Mary’s circumstances were bewildering and weighty, yet she faced them with steady confidence because her life had been shaped by a deep relationship with God and a lifetime of immersion in His Word. Her praise flowed from gratitude: God had chosen her to bear the long-promised Messiah—the Savior of the world.

Dr. Youssef also points to the remarkable balance in Mary’s Magnificat: authentic, biblical self-esteem that is neither prideful nor insecure—confidence without arrogance, humility without shame. Mary’s life wasn’t warped by materialism, possessions, or peer pressure; it was anchored in God’s promises. And through her prayer, Mary declares what every believer must learn to trust: God always keeps His promises.

This devotional invites you to ask yourself: Will you magnify God in every circumstance—especially the ones you don’t understand? That posture is the essence of Mary’s prayer and a key to power in prayer today.

Prayer: Lord, You are the matchless, sovereign God. You alone are worthy of my praise. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Scripture Focus: “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name” (Luke 1:48-49).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Life-Changing Prayers, Part 7: LISTEN NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone. 

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