Prayer To Find Joy And Laughter Again

AGAIN I CHOOSE JOY

A few months ago we focused on finding joy and laughter in the middle of the challenges we face during this season of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In spite of how many things have changed and how long things have been going on in this new “not normal” season I think it’s good to still let our hearts be lifted up, don’t you?   

The writer of Proverbs in the Bible seems to capture the mood of our time when he says: 

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:15

Even though we may not have a vaccine to protect us from the virus yet, we do have good medicine.  I encourage us to take it today:

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

I love this change of heart the writer of this Psalm allowed God to give Him when he wrote:

To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you?  Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;     Lord, be my help.”

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.  Psalm 30:8-12

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.— Isaiah 55:12

Anyway, at whatever place we find ourselves – wailing or dancing or somewhere in between - these are days we need to choose joy.  Sure there continue to be restrictions.  Life is not as it was before this all began.  There are many things still so uncertain about the future.  But we have today.  What joy can we find in this moment, this hour, and throughout this day?

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11

Thank you Lord that you are putting a path before us today that is filled with things that can be a source of joy.  Just knowing You are with us and You are in control is a great place to start.  We aren’t doing today alone no matter what is going on and what level of restrictions we are living under.  You know us.  You know about what we are going through. 

Lord You are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in You, and You help me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise You.  Psalm 28:7

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Psalm 51:12

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

We choose to welcome Your love into our lives until our hearts are full and satisfied.  We invite You to fill us up with Your love until our hearts are satisfied and we are able to sing for joy in this day. 

We will choose joy over everything else, one choice at a time.  Help us to faithfully and consistently in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen