Episode 121 – Susie Larson joins Stephanie today to ask, What Matters Most This Christmas Season? What if you approached this Advent more open to the things of God? What if you decided to be expectant that God would move in your midst? What if you made room for the joy found in the coming of our King?

Stephanie absolutely devoured “Prepare Him Room”, the brand new Christmas Advent devotional that Susie is bringing to us this Christmas.

 You can also watch the live video of the conversation on our YouTube channel, and make sure to subscribe: 

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These are some of Stephanie’s favorite quotes from Susie’s latest release:

"It takes great maturity to embrace holy contentment and holy expectation simultaneously."

"Whenever we ask for more from God, He asks for more from us."

"Jesus was physically weak but spiritually strong. So can we."

"If we don't think God cares about our hunger, we'll miss out on the beautiful experience of His provision; We will be too full on lesser things to notice it."

"With Jesus, subtraction precedes multiplication. Humility precedes breakthrough."

"Humility and faith is an irresistible combination for Jesus."

"God wants you to want His influence."
"Jesus invites us to approach Him with wide-eyed wonder and ask that all of who He is would come in and change all of who we are."

In their conversation today, Susie shares with Stephanie what she is asking God for Christmas: that He would teach her to leave this year and enter the next, trusting Him more. This is a bold, ambitious, Christ-centered prayer.

Susie reminds us that the first Christmas was not commercialized, but was focused on the light of the Lord against the backdrop of darkness. She tells us that our “not yets” do not make us “have nots”—because that is how Christmas came to be. Jesus identifies with the broken and the poor. “Silent night” was deep darkness; and yet, light was entering and is inextinguishable. Her raw emotion when she shares about her precious Lord, is beautiful and draws us deep into worship.

Susie prays a humble, bold prayer for everyone who will be listening to this episode. This prayer gave Stephanie goosebumps. Do not miss the blessing and the anointing of this prayer over you! It is a most special Christmas gift from Susie to you this year.

Gospel Spice Giveaway:

“Prepare Him Room” invites you to give God sacred space in your holiday season as you ponder the miracle of Christ and respond to His work in your life. As you begin your Christmas preparations this year, journey through Luke's account of Jesus' birth, life, death, and ultimate resurrection. God invites you to be still and let Jesus radically transform you this holy season. Let earth receive her King!

Susie is giving away several copies of “Prepare Him Room.” Go to gospelspice.com/giveaway to enter for a chance to win. Winners will be notified directly.

Meet Susie Larson:

Susie Larson is a talk radio host, national speaker, and bestselling author. In both 2016 and 2017 Susie was nominated and voted into the top ten groups for the National John Maxwell Leadership Award. Susie has been married to her dear husband Kevin since 1985 and together they have three wonderful sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, two beautiful grandchildren, and one adorable pit bull named Memphis. Susie’s passion is to see women everywhere awakened to the value of their soul, the depth of God’s love, and the height of their calling in Christ Jesus.

You will find Susie at susielarson.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/susielarsonauthor

You will also find her on Instagram @susielarsonauthor

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOU!! 

"A Gospel Spice Christmas" is a five-day devotional and reading plan available exclusively on YouVersion / the Bible App.

Do you long for fresh spices to flavor your spiritual experience of the Incarnation of Christ? Are you tired of stale clichés that taste like microwaved Christmas dinner leftovers? Are you hungry for an explosion of fresh flavors in your Christmas devotions? Experience a Gospel Spice Christmas alongside the shepherds, and discover how to make your life a daily nativity scene where Christ can be born in ever-deepening ways.

Click here or go to your YouVersion Bible App on your phone, and search "Gospel Spice." It is our gift to you! Enjoy!

PAY GOSPEL SPICE FORWARD THIS CHRISTMAS.

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You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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