How to Pray for AnyoneSample

DAY TWO: PRAYING FOR OTHERS TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S JOY

Joy is not a personality trait; it is a fruit of the Spirit. And this is incredible news, because it means every single person has the same potential to experience joy and the blessed fullness it brings to our lives.

Mentioned hundreds of times throughout the Old and New Testaments, joy is something we must pay attention to—because of its impact on our own lives and the lives of those we are praying for. The possibilities and opportunities for people to be transformed by experiencing the joy of the Lord are endless. Chances are, you know several people right now who are in a season of either celebration or trial. Joy has the power to bless, equip, and encourage us in every circumstance.

In times of celebration, joy humbles us with gratitude for the unmerited goodness of God, becoming a catalyst for sharing His gifts and stories of His faithfulness with others. In times of difficulty, joy similarly strengthens us to navigate our circumstances with gratitude for God’s nearness and faithfulness, compelling us to operate from a strength greater than our own.

The clarity joy offers is invaluable. We are called to “rejoice and be glad,” not because our circumstances deserve it, but because God does. Since the day belongs to the Lord—and so do we—joy becomes the vehicle through which hope sustains us while we wait for Him to work all things together for our good and the good of those we love.

There is an important distinction between joy and what we often call happiness. We can experience joy while we are happy, but happiness is neither a requirement nor a synonym for joy. Happiness is fleeting and circumstantial. Joy is contentment—regardless of circumstances—anchored in the hope we have in Jesus. Joy is gratitude for what God has done and for what He will do. Happiness may come and go, but joy can remain steadfast in our lives, fueled by gratitude and trust in God’s character to make all things right.

In joy, we taste a glimpse of heaven—the reality our souls were created to dwell in for eternity.

When we pray for others or ourselves to experience joy, we are not asking for their circumstances to change, but for them to be changed in the midst of their circumstances. Praying for joy over someone is asking God to wrap them in eternal perspective and to give them glimpses of who they are and who He is.

In times of celebration, we choose joy. In times of trial, we choose joy. It is a supernatural power made available to us through the hope we have in Jesus. What a gift—a gift we can pass on and pray into the lives of others.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

• Think of a few people you can pray for, that they may experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of their circumstances. How can you pray specifically for joy to strengthen or anchor them?
• In what ways are you grateful to God for moving in your life, in all seasons? Gratitude is the garden where joy is cultivated. Don’t miss an opportunity to fan the flame of joy in your own life today!

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