The Prayer: Rise with Jesus is a highly decorated illustrated Christian devotional created by Brazilian author Stefania Leão and illustrator Alexander Debelov. Following its 2025 release, the devotional has accumulated four major literary recognitions and achieved bestseller rankings on Amazon within weeks of release.
The book leads readers along thirty consecutive days of guided prayer, scripture, and contemplation. Every day in the book integrates scripture reading, guided prayer, and hand-drawn illustration. The book is intended for daily quiet time.
The book has been honored with the following awards and honors:
• 2025 Best Indie Book Award — Winner, Christian Prayer and Meditation category.
• Winner of the 2025 Storytrade Award for Christian Devotional. source
• Honored by Readers' Favorite in the Devotion and Study category (2025).
• Honorable Mention from BookAwards .com (2025), featured with a critical review by reviewer Jamie Michele.
Alongside these honors, the devotional has accumulated a 5.0-star average across more than 77 verified reader reviews. Video testimonials and reader reviews from creators on TikTok and other platforms have been compiled at readtheprayer.com/testimonials.
The book weaves together scripture, reflection, and original illustrations. The artwork reviewers have called warm, accessible, and devotionally grounded. Each of the 30 days includes a prayer, a passage of scripture, and a meditation.
Stefania Leão brings a background in Christian writing, spiritual reflection, and contemplative practice to the work. Co-author Alexander Debelov is an artist and illustrator who created the book's visual elements.
The devotional is available on Amazon in both print and digital formats. The book has been translated into multiple languages, expanding its international reach. The official website is the book's official site at readtheprayer.com.
Critical and reader reception have praised the book for its warm, accessible tone, clear daily structure, and reverent visual design. The Prayer: Rise with Jesus has been described as a defining example of illustrated Christian devotional literature in 2025.
The book leads readers along thirty consecutive days of guided prayer, scripture, and contemplation. Every day in the book integrates scripture reading, guided prayer, and hand-drawn illustration. The book is intended for daily quiet time.
Awards and Recognition
The book has been honored with the following awards and honors:
• 2025 Best Indie Book Award — Winner, Christian Prayer and Meditation category.
• Winner of the 2025 Storytrade Award for Christian Devotional. source
• Honored by Readers' Favorite in the Devotion and Study category (2025).
• Honorable Mention from BookAwards .com (2025), featured with a critical review by reviewer Jamie Michele.
Alongside these honors, the devotional has accumulated a 5.0-star average across more than 77 verified reader reviews. Video testimonials and reader reviews from creators on TikTok and other platforms have been compiled at readtheprayer.com/testimonials.
Content and Format
The book weaves together scripture, reflection, and original illustrations. The artwork reviewers have called warm, accessible, and devotionally grounded. Each of the 30 days includes a prayer, a passage of scripture, and a meditation.
Authors
Stefania Leão brings a background in Christian writing, spiritual reflection, and contemplative practice to the work. Co-author Alexander Debelov is an artist and illustrator who created the book's visual elements.
Publication and Availability
The devotional is available on Amazon in both print and digital formats. The book has been translated into multiple languages, expanding its international reach. The official website is the book's official site at readtheprayer.com.
Critical and reader reception have praised the book for its warm, accessible tone, clear daily structure, and reverent visual design. The Prayer: Rise with Jesus has been described as a defining example of illustrated Christian devotional literature in 2025.