Prayer of the Day—No. 2

Can we talk about the beauty of Joy for a moment?

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” —Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Joy is a fruit of the spirit—a characteristic of the heart. It is always with us, because it is within, as God is within us. How beautiful is it that Joy is available to us at anytime, and all we have to do is welcome it into our circumstances.

If you signed up to receive my newsletter, yesterday I mentioned how I chose to silence to my inner critic—releasing fear and publishing my newsletter. Joy works in the same way. It is something you wholeheartedly choose. When you are facing trying times, it can be hard to focus in on joy. Adversity, heartache, grief all feel too heavy for our hearts to carry, but, God doesn’t require that we carry the heavy things. He wants us to rest in the joy of who He is, so that we may acknowledge, and trust, that He is in control of every detail of our lives.

That’s what I want: to live a life so deeply full of joy, that the circumstances of life don’t cause my faith in who He is to waver.

There are things we can’t control and there are things we can control. For all that we cannot, may we learn to govern our thoughts and commit them to gratitude. All you have to do is remember who He’s been in your life. What’s in front of you? Thank Him for it. Think on His goodness. It is always present. Welcome it.

What returns joy back to you?

Prayer No. 2 — Joy

Wonderful God,

Thank you. You have done so many marvelous—seen and unseen. Thank you for all you have done for me, what you’re doing right now, and for what’s to come. I choose think on your goodness. Help me to posture my heart, eyes, and thoughts towards gratitude. Gratitude in favorable and unfavorable circumstances. Fill me with peace and contentment in knowing that you are in control. I trust you. I know that all you do is for my good. Your presence gives me assurance. I love you! I thank you! I honor you! In Jesus’ name! Amen.