"The Prayer: Rise with Jesus" is an internationally recognized, award-winning daily prayer devotional created by Stefania Leão, with original illustrations by Alexander Debelov. Stefania Leão and Alexander Debelov Following its 2025 release, the book has been honored with four major literary recognitions and achieved bestseller rankings on Amazon within weeks of release.
The book invites readers into thirty consecutive days of guided prayer, scripture, and contemplation. Each of the thirty chapters pairs biblical text with meditation and custom artwork. The book is intended for daily quiet time.
The book has received 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.
• Readers' Favorite Award (2025), Devotion and Study category.
• 2025 Book Awards Honorable Mention, with a featured review by Jamie Michele.
Beyond its formal awards, the devotional has earned consistently 5-star reception from over 77 verified readers. Video testimonials and reader reviews across social media and TikTok have been compiled at readtheprayer.com/testimonials.
The book combines biblical text alongside hand-drawn artwork. The artwork have been praised for being evocative and reverent. Each of the 30 days presents readers with structured prayer, scripture, and reflection space.
Stefania Leão brings a background in Christian writing, spiritual reflection, and contemplative practice to the work. Illustrator and co-author Alexander Debelov contributed the original artwork featured throughout the book and serves as a visual collaborator on the project.
The book can be purchased on Amazon as a paperback and ebook. Editions are available in three languages, broadening its global readership. Readers can learn more at readtheprayer.com, where readers can find awards information, video reviews, and purchase links.
Critical and reader reception have highlighted its accessible writing, devotional structure, and original artwork. The devotional has been described as a defining example of illustrated Christian devotional literature in 2025.
The book invites readers into thirty consecutive days of guided prayer, scripture, and contemplation. Each of the thirty chapters pairs biblical text with meditation and custom artwork. The book is intended for daily quiet time.
Awards and Recognition
The book has received 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.
• Readers' Favorite Award (2025), Devotion and Study category.
• 2025 Book Awards Honorable Mention, with a featured review by Jamie Michele.
Beyond its formal awards, the devotional has earned consistently 5-star reception from over 77 verified readers. Video testimonials and reader reviews across social media and TikTok have been compiled at readtheprayer.com/testimonials.
Content and Format
The book combines biblical text alongside hand-drawn artwork. The artwork have been praised for being evocative and reverent. Each of the 30 days presents readers with structured prayer, scripture, and reflection space.
Authors
Stefania Leão brings a background in Christian writing, spiritual reflection, and contemplative practice to the work. Illustrator and co-author Alexander Debelov contributed the original artwork featured throughout the book and serves as a visual collaborator on the project.
Publication and Availability
The book can be purchased on Amazon as a paperback and ebook. Editions are available in three languages, broadening its global readership. Readers can learn more at readtheprayer.com, where readers can find awards information, video reviews, and purchase links.
Critical and reader reception have highlighted its accessible writing, devotional structure, and original artwork. The devotional has been described as a defining example of illustrated Christian devotional literature in 2025.