3 Prayers for Joy and Gratitude

Thank You for Joy!

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. — Psalm 19:8

Dear Jesus,

Sometimes I crave the unbridled joy of childhood. I remember how it felt to pedal my bike fast, wind whipping through my hair, without a care in the world. I long for the innocence of seeing life through a child’s eyes, to laugh, sing, and play again.

With each passing year, I feel as if my joy has been pushed deeper down inside me. But Jesus, You show me that true joy is found in more than just worldly happiness.

Joy is in the reassurance of Your presence, the contentment of knowing Your love.

It is in Your creation, in the beauty of the earth. It is in a smile, a kind word, a laugh, and a song. But most of all, joy is found in worship and praise and in thankfulness for You.

Yes, worldly happiness is temporary, but Your joy is eternal. It exists no matter what my circumstances may be. It is finding joyful innocence in my grown- up heart. It is accepting Your love with a simple, childlike faith. Joy is discovering new things about You every day. Oh, thank You, dear Jesus, for Your joy!

Overwhelmed with Joy

Because he was full of grace and truth, we all received one gift after another. — John 1:16 NCV

Dear Jesus,

The word overwhelmed means to be flooded with too much of something. Usually, being overwhelmed is seen as something negative. Usually, but not always — because, Lord, how wonderful it is to be overwhelmed by You!

Every day You bless me in so many little ways — too many to count. Then, when those big blessings come along, I am completely overwhelmed. You bless me beyond anything I could ever ask or imagine — with unconditional love, unearned grace, endless mercy, and the promise of heaven with You. I am humbled by the height and width and depth of Your love and care for me.

With unending strength and power, You protect me from evil. Your presence surrounds, comforts, and shields me when life presses down hard. I am awed by Your constant faithfulness and gentleness, by Your ability to bring goodness from all things.

When I think of how You chose to suffer and die for my sins, I am overcome by both sadness and joy. You sacrificed Yourself so that I might live with You forever. What an amazing gift! I am overwhelmed by the joy of You, Jesus.

What a Beautiful Day!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. — Isaiah 43:19

Dear Jesus,

Today is a lovely day because You love me. And I see that love all around me in this world You created. Yes, the perfection of the Garden of Eden is gone, stolen by sin. But even in this fallen world, I see the work of Your hands. Only You could bless the bird with its song or tell the wind what to whisper through the trees. Only You could paint such sunsets or send the sunrise bursting across the skies. Only You could build up mountains, carve out oceans, and send the meadows skipping across the plains. And only You, Lord, could create me.

Jesus, if this world — with all its fallen imperfections — holds so much beauty and wonder, I can only imagine the beauty and wonder to be found in the perfection of Heaven. And it’s because of Your great love, Your gift of grace, that Heaven is waiting for me — with a sky more perfect than this sky, a warmth more welcoming than the sun, and sounds sweeter than any bird’s song. Oh, Jesus, thank You for this lovely day! I am so blessed.

Excerpted with permission from Jesus, I Need You, copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

What little joys are you experiencing today? What areas of your life could use a little more joy? We want to hear from you, so come share on our blog!