Prayer that prioritizes laughter
Written by Leah Girard
Bible reading:
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” —Proverbs 17:22
Listen or read below:
Everyone can use any number of helpful and not-so-helpful options to relieve sadness and stress. But today I would like to offer laughter as one of the best panaceas. Laughter is a great way to lift your mood, oxygenate your body, and get your muscles moving. It’s free, fun, and what God intended for you to enjoy.
In fact, the well-known saying “laughter is the best medicine” is based on the Bible. Proverbs 17:22 declares:
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”
Multiple university studies have scientifically proven that laughter reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. If you can laugh at your situation and yourself, you will be less likely to be overwhelmed by unexpected difficulties and challenges. I don’t mean the kind of laughter laced with ridicule or malice, but the kind that comes as a reward for hard work. Or from downplaying yourself and the events of the day, rather than getting down on yourself and the events of the day and staying there.
Laughter has the potential to heal relationships, ease disappointment, and ease tension. Perhaps that’s why God designed us to laugh when we’re excited, happy, or relieved. Laughter can occur when God surprises us with “how much he loves us.” Or even something that only God can do. Like when Sarah laughed in Genesis 21:6 when she realized that God had given her a son in her old age. Her son’s name Isaac also means “laughter.”
The saving power of laughter appears to be at the heart of many psalms that encourage us to cry out in praise, to fill our mouths with laughter instead of tears, and, as Psalm 100:1 says, “to shout out for joy unto the Lord.”
There is no doubt that life on earth brings misery and hardship. God knew that we needed laughter to overcome difficulties. That makes laughter a true gift of God that is meant to be put to good use. This is evidence of the soul-deep joy mentioned in Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
That’s why I suggest thinking about laughter as a priority, not just a luxury. In fact, it has the ability to have positive effects on the body. So why not do it every day? Isn’t this a great way to show others that even in a sinful world, there is always joy somewhere? Laughter can spark expressions of gratitude and open the way to sharing love and appreciation.
Do you have days off? Have you been feeling down and stressed lately? Maybe you need a good laugh. It’s not a laugh of anger, sarcastic laughter, or bad taste at someone’s sacrifice, but a laugh that relaxes you from the bottom of your stomach. Do you have a friend or sibling you can call and laugh about memories? Is there a clean comedian you can make plans to see? How about a new hobby you’ve never tried before? Why not try it out with your friends and laugh at your own amateurism?
Maybe there’s a movie that brings you joy or an activity that excites you. Don’t procrastinate. Make laughter a priority in your life. It may make everything else more bearable or perhaps even enjoyable.
Let’s pray.
Dear God,
I’ve been feeling down about everything going on in the world lately. So many things threaten to rob me of joy: aging, peer pressure, being overwhelmed, or feeling uncomfortable to me. I know I’m not alone in juggling hardships and obligations and feeling like there’s little room for laughter.
Today I am asking you to shower me with situations, people, sounds, and sights that make me happy. Help me to open my eyes and hands to things that are truly fun and interesting. And help me not to take my weaknesses and incompetence too seriously. Teach yourself to laugh at yourself and rejoice in the day you’ve made. Rather than suspecting the worst or missing out on the best, guide us to look for good news and uplifting ideas.
Help us model laughter with others so that together we can invite true joy into our own lives and the world. I admire your gift of joy and want to reflect more of it in my life.
Lord, I love you and I thank you. Amen.
Discuss today’s devotion with others in the “Daily Prayer” thread in the Crosswalk Forums.
Photo credit: Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/jacoblund
Leah Girard is an experienced writer, poet, voice actress, and former faith editor at Crosswalk.com. She currently co-hosts the podcast “Your Daily Prayer” on LifeAudio and shares peaceful, reflective poetry inspired by the wonders of nature on Instagram @wildpeace.poetry. Leah enjoys life with her husband and grown children, and walking in the woods with God.
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In this episode of the Unhurried Living podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with theologian and spiritual formation professor Kyle Strobel to discuss his new book, When God Seems Distant, co-written with John Coe. If this episode helps you focus your work and life on God, be sure to follow Unhurried Living on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
