Topic: Five Scriptural Prayers for Joy When Life Is Hard – Daily Devotional by Proverbs 31 Ministries  8 November 2024

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Five Scriptural Prayers for Joy When Life Is Hard

November 8, 2024

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11 (NLT)

Why am I so cranky?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? I have, more times than I care to admit.

I could blame my child who just responded disrespectfully to a reasonable request. I could blame my co-worker whose political chatter grates on my nerves. I could blame the stubborn imperfections I see when I look in the mirror.

But truthfully, none of those situations should have the power to steal my joy and turn me into a grump — because Jesus offers me His overflowing joy.

In John 15:11, just hours before He would be betrayed, arrested and executed, Jesus told His disciples: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (NLT). What Jesus promised His disciples, and by extension those of us who follow Him today, is a supernatural joy that transcends circumstances. A supernatural joy that comes only from God’s work in us, often in response to our prayers.

The truth is we need God’s help to grow into women of joy, and thankfully, our Bibles are full of sample prayers we can learn to pray on our own. After all, if joy is a fruit of God’s Spirit in us (Galatians 5:22) and the Father longs for us to bear fruit (John 15:2), won’t He be pleased to answer our prayers and grant us joy in Christ?

He certainly will.

So let us confidently ask God to grow us into women of contagious joy, unbothered by mundane irritations and filled with His Spirit.

Here are five powerful prayers you can start praying today:

1. Based on Nehemiah 8:10: Your joy is my strength, Lord, so please fill me with Your supernatural power to respond cheerfully even when I’m tired.
2. Based on Psalm 30:5: Though my sorrow may last through this dark night, Your joy will come in the morning. Help me wait patiently for You to turn my tears to laughter.
3. Based on Psalm 51:12: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, Jesus, and make me quick to obey You.
4. Based on Psalm 4:6-7: Lord, You can fill my heart with more joy than a shopping spree or exotic vacation or [fill in the blank]. I choose to trust You.
5. Based on Psalm 13:3 and Psalm 34:5: Restore the sparkle to my eyes, Lord. May my wrinkles and laugh lines reveal that I am a woman whose face radiates Your joy!

May we grow in supernatural joy that points us and our world to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, You created us out of Your overflowing delight and designed us to experience joy with You. Show us where we’ve allowed circumstances to steal our joy, and turn our hearts toward You. We want to radiate Your wonderful presence to an onlooking world! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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