A Prayer for Gratitude to Grow Your Joy - Your Daily Prayer - July 22

A Prayer for Gratitude to Grow Your Joy
By Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading:
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1 ESV)

Listen or Read Below:

Far too often, I find myself down in the dumps for no good reason. And other times, I wind up discouraged, disappointed, or even depressed, and could rattle off a rather long list of justifications. In fact, right now, as I reflect on a difficult and drawn-out season I’m still dragging my feet through, I struggle to smile at all sometimes. But, warranted or not, I wish this were never the case, as I waste my days away without joy to fuel and fill me. Not to mention, deep down, I know there is always something to delight in. Because truthfully, God has blessed me beyond measure. He abundantly gives good gifts to all of his beloved children.

I wonder, do you feel much joy today? Or does it seem for one reason or another that your smiles seem to be hiding below the surface, too? Smothered by some sort of struggle you’re facing within you or around you. I think we could all agree, regardless of how much contentment and fulfillment we are feeling at this very moment, we could always use a boost of spirit. Yet we continually sabotage our own joy by dismissing so much of the goodness God has placed in our very midst. I know I’m certainly guilty.

I also know that a simple yet super hard solution exists. The truth is, when we want to grow our joy, we simply need to grow our gratitude. Even when we are struggling or suffering. Even and especially when the day is difficult, the moment hurts, or the season has caused more disappointment than we ever expected. And I get it, it’s not easy. Not at all. We are fighting against an aggressive enemy who wants us to wallow in our hurt. Who works persistently to keep us down? Who is relentless in his disruption and distraction against our pursuit of God? Because Satan knows that if we become locked in with a steadfast gaze on God’s goodness, we wouldn’t want to look away. We would give God more glory. We would thank and praise him more and more. And we would grow in our joy more and more.

And so that’s what we should do. Turn our eyes to God and his goodness. Fight back by fighting forward. Focusing on God’s good promises, proclaiming his praise, and observing every small, big, and beautiful blessing he’s placed before us.

Psalm 91:1 says, I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. And God’s Word reminds us countless other times to be thankful, to rejoice and praise, and to remember all he has done for us. And to do these things with a whole and sincere heart. But how quickly we get lost in our own disappointments. How often do we take our eyes off the light and stare too long at the dark shadows? We need these reminders repeatedly. We need to revive our awareness that it’s in our wholehearted worship that we experience the fullness and joy we long for. I feel it every single Sunday morning as I pour out my praise in song alongside other believers.

So right now, for the sake of the joy we long for, let’s consider the goodness around us. Let’s reflect on the beauty and blessings on the path behind us. And let’s ponder the promises on the horizon before us. Name them out loud, write them all down, whisper them in worshipful prayer. One by one. Over and over. And see and feel your spirits rise. Make this a habit, and watch your joy grow and abundance flow. I know that’s what you want. Every single one of God’s children does. And he wants to give exactly that, and then some, to each and every single one of us.

Let’s Pray:

Lord Jesus, I thank you with my whole heart for all the wonderful things you have given and done. I know on hard days of darkness and in long seasons of struggle, I find my mind camped out on hardships, and I lose sight of your abundant blessings. But I know this is when I am depriving myself of the joy I long for that you also long for me to have. Lord, I have found that when I fix my eyes and whole heart on you and your goodness, and when I thank you over and over for your constant flow of blessings, joy grows and abounds in my life. So I ask that you help me stay in a state of gratitude. Because I know I certainly have so much to praise you for—every moment, every day, and always. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord. Amen.

If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or at your favorite online retailer. I hope it blesses you!

Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional spoke to you on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/digitalskillet

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at kerieichberger.com or Instagram.

Related Resource: What to Do When God Seems Distant

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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 the new book When God Seems Distant, coauthored with John Coe. If this episode helps you recenter your work and life on God, be sure to follow Unhurried Living on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!