Prayer of Thanksgiving – Joy
“For there is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love you for your own sake, whose joy you yourself are. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to you, of you, for you; this is true joy, and there is no other” (St. Augustine, “Confessions,” 10.22).
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16.11).
Ah, holy God, how often we have forgotten that you are joy
itself, and to have you is to have undying joy! We admit that we too easily get
caught up in the swirling current and maddening rush of our commercial, accumulative,
avaricious society and begin to believe the lie that buying, acquiring,
compiling, and stockpiling “stuff” is joy. And then you abruptly expose the
vanity of it when most of it becomes outdated, broken, and inoperable before it’s
even paid off! Forgive us, Lord, and restore to us the joy of your salvation
(Psalm 51.12).
Thank you, inexhaustible Joy, that you are this joy without
us, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit; but also that you give yourself for us and
to us! Thank you that with you, and in your presence, is fullness of joy. Thank
you that your Son Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross for us (Hebrew 12.2). Thank you
that the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isaiah 35.10). Thank you, O God of
hope, who fills us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of
the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope (Romans 15.13).
Glory to you, O God most high!
Mike
{I hope you find this prayer thought provoking. But more
than that, I hope this prayer will enhance your relationship with God. If you
use this prayer for something other than personal use, please give credit where
credit is due. Thanks, Mike}
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