Prayer to find joy in simple blessings
Amanda Idolman
Bible Reading:
“A fun mind is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit drys the bones.” – Proverb 17:22
Listen or read:
Our spirit is designed to experience joy. It is one of the fruits of the spirit that makes us healthy and motivate us. But we live in a fallen, broken world where joy can easily escape us. Our minds, bodies and souls are at war with the chaos around us. We all struggle to hold on joy as we move through our days. I remember about 6 years ago When I was covered in the weight of burnout as a mother. That wasn’t a specific thing that was too heavy for me to carry. It meant that everything was on top of another, leaving all my reserves depleted as human. It was hard to grasp the joy. Instead, My default modes were depression, fear, frustration and fatigue. I couldn’t see my simple blessing.
Some things helped me to craze out of my pit. God has helped me celebrate simple blessings around me. I started writing a list of things I was grateful for and added it every day. I was forcing them to be slow enough to see them, so I was grateful for so many small things. Some of the things on this list will bring tears to my eyes when I read them. Because I know how precious that young motherhood season is and how I wanted to live their days well. Number 574 on the list is my little boy who says, “Mom, this is my special day!” Number 524 is my boy playing with a stuffed dragon in his bed. Number 427 sees the siblings coloring together after going to bed.
Each item I recorded was very simple, but it was a moment filled with promises and joy. In total, I committed to writing down 1,000 small, big things I was grateful for that year. Well, that special and simple list of blessings is a treasure to me. It not only lifted my heart out of the nails of depression, but also gave me something to commemorate all the sweetness stuffed in the intense seasons that raised three little ones.
Sometimes we need to pause and slowly tidy the spaces of our lives to see the simple blessings we have been given. We need to guide our minds, minds, souls and bodies towards the good and beautiful people around us to push back the cloudy shadows of darkness that cover our eyes. After that year of gratitude, I realized I had to live more intentionally. An overwhelmed heart is not a pleasant heart. My investment in my happiness has become part of my investment in my family, my faith, and my future. Joy is a lifestyle that relies on God’s power to sustain us. It embraces God’s pace, including rest. It appears to him when we need to occur in our lives. Joyful Living needs nothing for granted, always looking at the person who made it all and thanking him for everything he did.
Let’s pray:
Father, I appreciate that the joy you offer us is healing. It updates our strength. It gives hope to this dark world. It’s new every morning. We have access to joy as followers every season. Thank you for finding the simplicity and joy of everyday life. May your spirit slow us down and encourage us to be aware of your beauty and goodness. Help me exchange sorrow for joy. Turn our ashes into beauty. Turn our eyes to you over and over again, remind us that in all things you will work goodness. You have a purpose in every season and power over every problem. Show me your way. Please tell me your way. Lead us to your truth that constantly inspires the joy of our weary hearts. We need you every day to remind us that you are for us. Help us see your loyalty and find happiness even at the smallest. We love you, yes. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Sasha_suzi
Amanda Idolman is a writer who encourages others to live happily. She writes dedication for your evening prayers, cross walk couple prayers, your daily prayers, and more. She has works published on the MOPS blog with views from her home and is a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com, biblestudytools.com and christianity.com. She recently published Devotion and Solace. This is a 30-day prayer prayer that explores the heart of God to Mama, along with her husband’s fellow devoted shepherd. Find out more about Amanda on her Facebook page or follow her on Instagram.
Listen to Greg Lowry’s new show!
Everyone talks about life after death, but what about life in life? “Why am I here? How can I be really happy? Is my life important or why do I feel empty inside?” And “What really happens when I die?” Pastor Greg Laurie helped millions of people find deep hope through true faith. In “The Greg Laurie Show,” he shares his own journey from despair, addiction and abuse into a spiritual revolution that changed everything. Based on decades of shocking ministry, Greg addresses the deepest questions of life, offering timeless biblical wisdom, practical guidance, and a compelling vision for life fundamentally transformed by Christ. Join Pastor Greg to navigate today’s cultural challenges, unleash spiritual truths, and enable listeners to discover lasting joy and meaning in their relationship with God.
Because you prayed, do you need someone to pray for you? Click the button below
