Joy is more than happiness. Joy is assurance that God has better things ahead of you no matter what circumstances are happening to you. Joy is finding the good in the midst of the bad. Joy is being contented with what you have, being present with who you’re with, and realizing the beauty around you.
A Prayer For Galatians 5:22
Holy Spirit, I know that real joy can come only from you. Please fill me with your presence so I can bear your good fruits and produce your joy, not only for my own life but for the good of those around me. Help me focus on drawing near to you so that my life will bring forth these good fruits.
A Prayer For Deuteronomy 16:15
Dear God, I thank you that you have established holidays and festivals for your people to gather together in joy throughout all human history. Please help me to mark these times so I remember to truly celebrate your work. Help me honor times set aside for joy with food, fun, and laughter because these are things you delight in. Help me not let the world distract me from the simple pleasure of days you have set aside to celebrate with loved ones.
A Prayer For 1 Chronicles 16:27
Dear Lord, your very presence is a place filled with joy. It is your strength that creates this because you clear out injustice. Help me rest in your company to be comforted by your power and therefore experience deep joy, knowing you are in control.
A Prayer For Esther 9:22
God, you encourage us to remember the good things you have done for us and celebrate them with joy. You also enable us to let this joy be contained to ourselves and be something that we spread to others through gifts. Help us to be people that spread joy. Help us remember the good things you have done for us through celebration and invite others into these moments through food and gifts, especially those who are poor.
A Prayer For Psalm 16:11
Lord, thank you that living with you and in your ways is not a burden but a gift. I thank you that a life following your commandments produces deep joy. Please help me avoid the temptation to think that there is joy apart from you and your ways.
A Prayer For Psalm 28:7
Lord, I thank you for being my strength and protecting me in times of need. This fills me with deep joy. Help me in those moments to not keep this to myself. Help me to turn this back towards you through praise and thanksgiving. Help me not hide this from others, but to let all the world see the honor I give to you.
A Prayer For Matthew 28:8
Jesus, when the women at the tomb heard that you had risen, it was an emotionally confusing time. There were fear and joy. We thank you that you allow us to have mixed emotions. We also acknowledge that the power of your resurrection is still active in this world, bringing dead things back to life. Lord, this both scares us and fills us with great joy. Help us to live in this tension while allowing your message to spread to others.
A Prayer For 2 Corinthians 13:11
Lord, your servant Paul reminds us that your joy is not blind to the world’s pain. Instead, it’s a humble maturity that strives to live peacefully and harmoniously in this world. In contrast, we and others are often overwhelmed with despair. Help our joy not be built upon circumstances but rooted deep in your peaceful ways, like a mature, fruit-bearing tree. Help us be people of peace, drawing upon our more profound joy in you so that we might have a more in-depth experience of your presence.
