Pray With Joy

Devotional Reading: Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy. Philippians 1:4 ESV

Paul had this amazing ability to discover joy in almost every situation. Do you have a hard time finding joy in these uncertain times?

Paul said, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” (Philippians 1:4, NIV) Paul prayed with joy for his Philippian friends. Why would anyone pray with joy? Isn’t prayer a desperate attempt to convince God to respond? Isn’t prayer a last-ditch effort to get a miracle when all else has failed?

I believe we do not have to convince God of anything. He’s good and amazing. The Bible says, “‘Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.’” (Matthew 6:8, NIV)

God knows what’s best for us, and He’s intent on agreeing with us in prayers and declarations.

Prayer is coming into agreement with God. The Word of God says, “‘Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 18:19, NIV)

Prayer should not be the last-minute resort. It should be our first line of defense and offense. We pray with joy because we know God is with us. He wants to move heaven and Earth to help us. We pray with joy because He hears our prayers and has compassion on us. “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV)

I encourage you to make a list of all your needs and burdens and pray with joy, because you know that the living God is on your side and will answer. He loves you because you’ve become a miracle.

Prayer and Confession
I come in agreement with God’s word, and as I speak the word I see result. Amen

Further Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, Matthew 6:7-13