6 Prayers For Joy

Becky lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She is passionate about supporting people in drawing nearer to Christ using Scripture, prayer, and journaling.

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Use these prayers for joy to experience more of God’s hope, peace, and strength in the middle of whatever struggle you are facing.

Most people in life long to be happy, but God offers something that far outlasts happiness.

He offers us joy.

The world around us and our day-to-day circumstances can strip us of living in the light of joy. When you’re stressed, worked to the bone, or having relational or financial problems, it can be hard to feel joy. But joy and happiness are two very different things.

We often refer to happiness as an emotion that we feel during good times. When we’ve had smooth sailing in life, it is easy to feel happy. But when times are hard and we are truly being tested, happiness scurries away.

This is where our true hope shines through.

If our hope is found in pleasurable circumstances, we’ll find ourselves feeling hopeless and miserable.

However, when our hope is founded on Christ, we can experience joy through our relationship with Him, despite our circumstances. It’s important for us to pray for joy because it is something that Jesus desires for us to experience.

Having joy, especially in tough situations, is an excellent way to witness to a world that is often all about circumstances. When others see you experiencing joy despite the troubles you are facing, they begin to wonder what your source of joy is. Or rather, Who your source of joy is.

The believer’s joy is rooted in nothing else but who God is. Whether they abound or lack, their joy can be unflinching because it is rooted in the Rock of Ages. Joy in itself is a blessing that we get to experience, and one that we can ask God to expand in us through prayer.

If you are struggling with experiencing joy in your day-to-day life, I hope these prayers for joy will help you grow in His truth and joy.

Prayers For Joy - woman in blue dress standing in field with arms outstretched

1. Prayer for Joy in Trials

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
– James 1:2-3

Father,

It is hard to feel joy in the midst of this trial. Each day it’s like the heat is being turned up and all I hope in and trust in is being tested. This trial is revealing a lot about myself that is hard to face.

I know that You use trials to purify me, just like gold that goes through fierce fire, burning out the impurities so that the goldsmith can see his reflection in the gold. In the same way, Lord, You

are working in me through this trial so that I can look more like You. Please help me to remember this truth when I am feeling discouraged.

It feels countercultural to feel joy when life is tough, but that’s exactly what You call us to. Please help me to consider it a joy when I face trials. Remind me that it is an opportunity for my faith to be tested and made stronger. Help me to rely on You, and abide in Your joy throughout my trials.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

2. Prayer for Joy in What God has done

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
– Isaiah 61:10

Lord,

There are not enough words in the world to give thanks for all You have done for me. There are things I am completely unaware of, that You have protected me from and rescued me out of.

I want to thank You for both the things I am aware of and those I have been oblivious to. Whenever it feels like I have no reason to feel joy, please remind me of the joy that is found in You and Your wonderful works. Help me to delight in You more than anything else in life.

I pray that my soul will rejoice in You. For You have drawn me out of a deep pit, and set my feet on the Rock of salvation. Thank You for salvation, Lord. Thank You for stripping me from my guilt-stained robes and clothing me in a robe of righteousness. Let me always find reason to rejoice, because You have been faithful to me.

In Your name, I pray, amen.

3. Prayer for Joy in All Circumstances

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
– Habakkuk 3:17-18

Dear Lord,

I have had a difficult time experiencing joy lately. When things are going well, it’s easy to forget that my true source of joy isn’t dependent on what is happening around me.

But when things become tough, it is evident that I have placed a large portion of my joy in my circumstances. I know that circumstances are ever changing. In the blink of an eye things can change. But Lord, Your word says that You will never change. You are the same today, tomorrow and forever. Please forgive me for placing my joy in fickle circumstances.

Help me to place my joy in You, because You are my ultimate treasure. Even when I am lacking, and things don’t turn out the way I expected, help me to rejoice in You, and be joyful in You because You are my Savior.

In Jesus name, amen.

4. Prayer for Joy as You Trust in Him

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
– Romans 15:13

Lord,

In the world we live in today, there seems to be very little hope left. Many people have lost hope in the systems that are supposed to protect us. Others have lost hope in people because of those who have hurt and betrayed them. And some have lost hope in finding true joy and purpose in life.

I have struggled with my own kind of hopelessness and joylessness. Please forgive me for trying to find hope and joy in the world around me. Though life feels void of joy and hope at times, I know that I can trust You. You are the God of joy. I pray that You will fill me with Your joy and peace as I learn to trust in You. May I overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

5. Prayer to Bring Joy to Others

“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
– Philemon 1:7

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the joy that I get to experience in joy. It is not always all smiles and sunshine for me. There are days when I feel deeply discouraged and frustrated with life. Even in those days, You call me to come to You and find your joy and rest waiting for me. Thank You for the gift of joy.

My prayer is that You would help me to pursue You more, and experience Your joy more often. Not only that, but I pray that You would help me to be a joy to those around me. I especially pray that You would help me to be a joy to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

You have given me spiritual gifts that I can use to serve others and to show them the love that You call me to. Help me serve those who are in need. I pray that my serving will be done in love, and be a great encouragement to those around me. Just as You refresh my heart, lead me to refresh the hearts of Your people.

In Jesus’ matchless name, amen.

6. Prayer for Joy in Your Weakness

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
– 2 Corinthians 12:10

Lord,

There are many weaknesses in me. My flesh has failed plenty of times, and with each failure, or weakness I have felt my joy stripped away. In myself, I cannot boast, and my sinfulness has humbled me many times.

But even in my weakness, I know that I can call on You. You do not call the strong. You call the weak, the meek, the humble, and the contrite to receive Your grace. Today, I acknowledge that I am weak.

My heart is not always contrite and my posture is not always meek. But I pray that You would grow me in humility, meekness, and grant me a contrite heart. Help me to reframe my weakness according to Your strength. Because when I am weak, You are strong.

In Jesus’ name, amen.