Warrior Pray-ers

Prayers for a joyful heart

Joy is different than happiness.

"We don't care what *Seth* does when he grows up, " she said, "we just  want him to be happy."  And I cringed as she said it, this Christian  woman I've known all my life.  Because deep down inside I believe that  there's more than happiness in life to aspire to.  Sure, I wish  happiness for my sons.  But if I had to choose between them being happy  for a season & living in sin, or being miserable for a season &  loving Jesus with all their hearts...well, I'd choose the latter.


Happiness is not necessarily holiness. 

Men who cheat on their wives, neglect their children and look at porn  each night before bed can be perfectly happy with their lifestyle.  No,  happiness is fleeting.  But joy comes from a right relationship with  Christ.  This week let's pray for the joy of the Lord to root itself  deeply into our precious sons' hearts.  And while we're at it, let's ask  the Lord to make us relish the joy of our salvation as well.

Monday:  May the joy of the Lord be our sons' strength (Nehemiah 8:10)

Tuesday:  May our sons be filled with love, joy, peace,  patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control  (Galatians 5:22)

Wednesday:  May our sons go out in joy and be led forth in peace (Isaiah 55:12)

Thursday:  May the God of hope fill our sons with all joy and  peace as they trust in him, so that they may overflow with hope by                       the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13) 

Friday:   May our sons go to the altar of God, to God, their joy and their delight (Psalm 43:4)

Saturday: May our sons count it all joy when they meet trials  of various kinds, as the testing of their faith produces steadfastness.  May they let steadfastness have its full effect, that they may be  perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:1-4)

Sunday:  May our sons know that while weeping may tarry for the night, joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5)