Today I offer a prayer for joy and laughter. Though the tone of my prayers and writings may often seem quite somber, I do try to encourage us to enjoy life. God has gifted us with fun, humor and joy, so why not embrace them?
Heavenly Father, our Purveyor of Joy, and our Source of Praise, our hearts are glad in Your presence. Your word says a joyful heart is good medicine, that You will fill our mouths with laughter and our lips with shouting. You have ransomed us, so may our sorrows flee leaving our hearts full of joy, singing and gladness. May we and our households eat before You, and rejoice in all that we undertake for You have blessed us greatly. Solomon says there is nothing better for us to do than eat and drink, and find enjoyment in our work, for these things are from Your hand. May we also learn to rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that we will increase in endurance and our hope in You will be strengthened by the power of Your Holy Spirit. As we take refuge in You may we rejoice and sing for joy in Your benevolent love and protection. Thank you for the promise that even though we experience sorrow now, when we see You face to face our hearts will rejoice and our joy will never again be robbed from us. May we serve You with gladness, and enter into Your presence with joyful singing from this day forward, forever and ever, amen.
[Inspired by: Pro 17:22, Job 8:21, Isa 35:10, Deu 12:7, Ecc 2:24, Rm 5:3-4, Rm 15:13, Psa 5:11, Jn 16:22, Psa 100:2]
~ Conqueror in Training