31 Days of Prayer: Seventeen (Joy!)

Joy

Children
"May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."

You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Thessalonians 1:6

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Things make me happy. A delicious dinner. Obedient children. Target. A good movie. A date night. Chick-fil-a. A successful run. A long (uninterrupted) talk with a friend.

The Holy Spirit brings me joy. God fill us with joy. Joy is a divine gift. It runs deep. Circumstances can not take it. Man can not create it.

Joy can be present through great affliction. I know this to be true. Through suffering, pain, relational loss, cancer, even death. Joy is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Joy (chara): gladness wrought by the Holy Spirit.

If it is joy we are looking for, we must look to our God. The Giver of every good and perfect gift. Our Provider. Our Healer. Our Protection. Our Strength. Our Joy.

Myself and Others
"Lord, give me deep joy that can only come from You. Let me not search only for happiness, but let me seek You, my Sustainer and Hope. Thank you that joy is possible is the hardest of circumstances. I love you, Jesus."