prayers for joy

FRANKLIN SANDERS

ALSO BY FR ANKLIN SANDERS

At Home in Dogwood Mudhole,

Volume One: Nothing That Eats
At Home in Dogwood Mudhole,
Volume Two: Best Thing We Ever Did
Heiland
Paul Schneider: The Witness of Buchenwald
translated from Rudolf Wentorf s German original

Prayers for Joy

Copyright 2014 by Franklin Sanders
Design and layout by Collin Houseal
ISBN 978-1-938817-14-4 (PDF)
Published by Four Rivers, Inc., 9120 Double Diamond Parkway,
Suite 4549, Reno, Nevada 89521 USA fourriversinc.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

FOREWORD
Lest we forget our duty to pray for all men, for rulers, and for
Christs Church, our Book of Common Prayer offers prayers for
all purposes and occasions. There is a Collect for Peace, a Collect
for Grace, a Collect for Aid against Perils, a Collect for Purity
and a Collect for Preservation, and collects for all seasons and
occasions, but curiously there nowhere appears a Collect for Joy.
Facing the blows and assaults of life in a fallen world while
serving an unseen God, those of us constitutionally beset by despair (and all Christians) must labour daily to cleave to the joy that
God has promised us as our inheritance in Jesus Christ. I dont
mean joy in the sky in the sweet bye and bye or some mindless
babbling happy, happy, happy all the time, time, time, but that
profound daily joy, that merry heart, that singing soul that the
world watches and identifies as alien and differing from its own.
That joy our God has readied for us even in the most terrible surroundings and circumstances. That joy that witnesses that Christ
dwells in us, and we in him, and that we own the hope of his glory.
The Lords Prayer teaches us to pray that Gods will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. Nowhere is Gods will made plainer
than in his Word, so the most telling holy arguments we can bring
to God in prayer are his own Words. In these prayers I have attempted to turn Gods promises of joy into prayers for joyprayers
that we might see and taste that joy.
And I thank my blessed wife Susan who, like a delighted little
girl, never ceases to rejoice in God her Saviour, and so is teaching
even sour me to rejoice.
Franklin Sanders
Advent 2, 2014

PRAYERS FOR JOY

Father, you command us to make a joyful noise unto
you, the rock of our salvation, but in myself I find only a
jangling and whining noise. Bring to mind, all-gracious
Lord, your past mercies and your everlasting faithfulness;
stir up my memory and open my mouth in thanksgiving, so that I might praise you will all my heart, and not
half. O deliver me from dull ingratitude. In Jesus Name.
Amen. P S A LM 9 5 : 1 ; 1 4 3 : 4 5 ; P S A L M 2 5 : 5
FOR JOY IN CREATION

O heavenly Father, who laying the foundations of the

earth caused all the morning stars to sing together and
all the sons of God to shout for joy, graciously open our
eyes to see and to rejoice in all your works of creation and
love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. J O B 3 8 : 4 7
FOR JOY IN GODS PRESERVING PROVIDENCE

Almighty and most merciful God! You have caused us

to trust in you for our defence and to love your Name,
so fill our hearts with thankfulness for your preserving
providence that we may evermore shout for joy in You,
through Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer.
Amen. P S A LM 5 : 1 1
1

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

JOY IN GODS PRESENCE

O God, who has promised to show us the path of life,

in whose presence is fullness of joy, and at whose right
hand are pleasures for evermore, now in this day give us
grace to live in your presence and know that fullness of
joy, through Jesus Christ. Amen. P S A LM 1 6 : 1 1
JOY IN REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

O Father of all mercies, we come to you trembling in our

sins, yet remembering that your anger endures but the
twinkling of an eye and in your favour is life: mercifully
end our night of weeping and grant us a new morning of
joy in Jesus Christ. Amen. P S A L M 3 0 : 5
Most gracious Father, we have sown repentance in tears:
mercifully grant that we may also reap your forgiveness
in joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. P S A LM 12 6 : 5
Father in heaven, look with merciful pity on our sins
which we cannot hide; cast us not away from your presence, nor take your Holy Spirit from us, but graciously
restore unto us the joy of your salvation; and uphold us
with your free spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. P S A LM 51 : 1 2

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

JOY IN CHRISTS CHURCH

O heavenly Father, create in us everlasting rejoicing

that you have grafted us into your Church, that holy
city beautifully situated on Mount Zion, the joy of the
whole earth, through Jesus Christ our Great King. Amen.
P S A LM 4 8 : 2

FOR JOY IN GOD

Most merciful Father, in whose house all things say Glory

and who has clothed your priests with righteousness
and salvation, turn not our faces away, but cause us your
saints to shout aloud for joy because you have redeemed
us and set our King and Redeemer Jesus Christ upon
your throne forevermore. Amen. P S A L M 1 3 2
O God our Father, whose very Name causes all creation
to leap and sing and clap hands in joyful noise, graciously
make our feet and lips and hands and hearts rejoice to
praise you as well, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
P S A LM 6 3 : 5 ; P S A L M 9 6 ; P S A L M 9 8 : 4

FOR JOY THROUGH TEARS

O loving Father, in our loss, sorrow, and misery you lift

up our heads with the promise that the joy of the Lord
is our strength; grant us grace to set aside this worlds
mourning and fix our eyes now and forever on those
unspeakable joys that you have prepared for those who
3

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

love you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

N E H E M IA H

8:10; ISAIAH 64:4; 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9

FOR JOY IN GOD OUR PROVIDER

O loving Father, who satisfies our souls with marrow and

fatness, grant us grace always so to bear in our hearts
your goodness that we may ever praise you with joyful
lips. Amen. P S A L M 6 3 : 5
FOR JOY IN GOD OUR KING

Almighty and ever-living God, your throne is founded on

justice and judgement; mercy and truth go before your
face: grant to us your people who know the joyful sound
of your Word and walk in the light of your countenance,
that we may rejoice in your Name all the day and glory in
you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. P SA LM 8 9 : 14 1 6
FOR JOY IN THE FACE OF DISTRACTION

Beloved Lord, whose coming makes the heavens rejoice

and the sea roar, the field and all that lives there joyful,
the trees rejoice, the floods clap their hands, and the
merry hills join in, grant us, we pray, labouring in the
worlds woe and distraction, grace always to hear that
glad rejoicing and to add our own hearts song, through
the mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. P S A LM 9 6 : 1 2 ;
P S A LM 9 8 : 4 , 8 ; P S A L M 1 0 0 : 1

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR A NEW SONG

Teach our lips, O Lord Our King, a new song of praise;

take pleasure in us your people, beautify us with your
salvation, and make your saints so joyful in your glory
that they sing aloud upon their beds, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. P S A L M 1 4 9
FOR JOY IN FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION

We praise you, O Father, for though you were angry with

us, you have turned away your anger and comforted us
so that we trust in you, our Strength, and are not afraid:
grant that this day we may with joy draw water out of
the wells of thy salvation, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
I S A I A H 1 2 : 1 3

FOR JOY IN CHRISTS LOVE

O Lord Jesus, you have promised that you love us as the

Father loves you, and that if we keep your commandments, we will abide in your love; Give us grace to keep
your commandments and walk in your ways, and so fill
us with love for you and make our joy full. Amen. J O H N
15:9 11

FOR JOY IN RESTORATION

O Lord, take away your judgements and make us sing and

be glad and rejoice with all our hearts; Be mighty in the
5

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

midst of us, take away evil and fear, rejoice over us with
joy, rest with us in your love, and joy over us in singing,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Z E P H A N I A H 3 : 1 4 17
FOR JOY IN OUR GOOD SHEPHERD

Lord Jesus our Good Shepherd, make us flee from the

strangers voice and know only your voice; be our door
to light and life; O blessed Redeemer, you did not come
to destroy us, but laid down your life that we might have
life, and have it more abundantly. Grant to us, who in our
own power lead meager lives of want and sorrow, grace
to follow you into that more abundant life with joy, ever
beholding your tender mercies. Amen. J O H N 1 0 : 1 1 0
FOR JOY IN GODS CALLING TO MERCY

Father of all mercy, you shout to us who are thirsty and

hungry to come to your waters and buy and eat wine and
milk without money and without price; grant us grace to
forsake all our wicked ways and turn to you for mercy and
pardon, and so fulfil your promise in us: make us go out
with joy and be led forth in peace, with the mountains
and hills breaking into singing before us while all the
trees of the fields clap their hands. Grant this, O Father,
for Jesus Christs sake, our only Saviour and Redeemer.
Amen. I S A I A H 5 5 : 1 1 2

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR JOY IN GOD IN THE MIDST OF TERROR

O God, when the children of Ammon and Moab and

Edom came to destroy your people, your prophet said
not to fight, but to worship you and stand still to see the
Salvation of the Lord; give us grace so to worship you in
trust, so to stand still in the assurance that you fight for
us, and so to praise the beauty of holiness and your everliving mercy, that when we see you destroy our enemies
we may return home in peace and joy. In the Name of
Christ our King and Saviour. Amen. 1 C H RO N I C LE S 2 0 : 3 3 0
FOR JOY UNMIXED

Father in heaven, when you bless, you make rich and add
no sorrow with it, and you make us to rejoice with great
joy so that our joy is heard afar off. Bless us today with
that unmixed joy, so that afar off our joy is heard and
Christ, the hope of glory, is seen in us. Amen. P R OV E R B S
1 0 : 22 ; N E H E M I A H 1 2 : 4 2 ; C O LO S S I A N S 1 : 1 7

FOR JOY IN REST FROM OUR ENEMIES

O Lord, give us this day rest from all our inward and
outward enemies, and turn this day for us from sorrow
to joy, and from mourning into a good day. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen. E S T H E R 9 : 22

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF EVERLASTING JOY

Father in heaven, you make sure the triumphing of the

wicked is short and the joy of the hypocrite lasts but
a moment, but for the righteous you prepare fullness
of joy and pleasures for evermore. Grant us this day to
remember and rejoice that you have made us, poor sinners, righteous in Jesus Christ, and so laid up for us an
inheritance of joy that will never die. In Jesus blessed
Name we pray. Amen. JO B 20 :5; P SA LM 1 6: 11 ; RO M A N S 8: 1 6 1 8
FOR JOY IN THE FACE OF SCOFFERS

O Father, tears have been my only food day and night

while scoffers throw in my teeth, Where is your God
now? O God, I open my heart and pour out my soul to
you, and I remember going to your house with all your
people that kept holy day. Restore to my lips, Father, the
voice of joy and praise; in these rolling waves and billows,
command your lovingkindness for me in the daytime,
send your song to me in the night, and open my lips in
prayer to the God of my life, that I may yet praise you.
In Jesus Name. Amen. P S A L M 4 2
FOR JOY IN FORGIVENESS

O merciful God and just Judge, all my sin has been

against you alone, and you are perfectly just to condemn
me. I was born in sin, and return to it. Wash me, O God,
cleanse me, make me clean within that I might hear joy
8

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

and gladness again, and that all my bones which your

chastening love have broken may rejoice. Do this, Father,
for Jesus Christs sake. Amen. P S A L M 51
FOR JOY IN GODS DELIVERANCE

O everlasting God, who never forgets your holy promise,

or the saving covenant you made with Abraham, bring
your people out of all slavery and oppression with joy,
and your chosen with gladness, and let me be numbered
among them. In Jesus Name. Amen. P S A LM 1 0 5 : 4 2 4 3
FOR JOY IN DAILY STRUGGLE

O Father, I struggle daily to speak and live your truth,

and even my own flesh and heart war against me. Keep
me from every deceitful and evil imagination, and let the
counsels of peace on my lips bring joy. In Jesus Name.
Amen. P R OV E R B S 1 2 : 2 0
O Father, set a watch over my lips that they speak no
guile, make them speak in good season, so that their
every answer brings joy. Do this for Jesus glory and
honour. Amen. P S A L M 3 4 : 1 3 ; P R OV E R B S 1 5 : 3
FOR OUR CHILDREN

O Father in heaven, you see how weak and feckless all

our strength is and what a consuming work it is to raise
children to love you; grant our children grace to grow
9

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

up righteous and wise before you, and so let their safety

in Jesus Christ be our joy. Amen. P R OV E R B S 2 3 : 2 4
FOR JOY IN DAILY LIVING

Loving Father, you give us labour and food and drink and
a useful life as the reward of your goodness; so occupy
our hearts with that joy of daily living that with sincere
hearts we remember with thanksgiving always the Giver
as well as the gift. For Jesus sake. Amen. E C C L E S I A S T E S
5:20

FOR JOY IN GODS ACCEPTANCE

Father in heaven, you scatter all my fear and fretting by

calming me with the assurance that you have already
accepted my works. Knowing you accept me and all my
works for the sake of your Beloved, give me grace also to
eat my bread with joy and drink my wine with a merry
heart, because I am yours, and so all is well. In Jesus
Name. Amen. E C C L E S I A S T E S 9 :7
FOR JOY IN THE WELLS OF SALVATION

In this day, O Lord, I will praise you, for although you

were angry with me, you have turned away your anger
and comforted me. You are my salvation, so I will trust
you and not be afraid. You, Lord Jehovah, are my strength
and my song, and have become my salvation so that with
10

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

joy I shall draw water out of the wells of salvation. Praise

your holy Name, Lord Jesus. Amen. I S A I A H 1 2 : 1 3
FOR JOY IN GODS PROMISE TO
OUR POWERLESSNESS

O God our Salvation, you promise that the deaf shall

hear the words of your book and the blind shall see out
of darkness and the poor shall rejoice in you and the
meek shall increase their joy, graciously look on our
helplessness, open our ears and eyes, and let us who are
poor and meek rejoice in your holiness. In Jesus Name.
Amen. I S A I A H 2 9 : 1 7 1 9
TO REVIVE THE DESERT OF MY SOUL

O everlasting Father, you who are all light and life, come
into the weary, lonely wilderness of our lives and make
this desert blossom and rejoice with joy and singing.
Into our parched lives pour your excellency and glory.
In Jesus Name. Amen. I S A I A H 3 5 : 1 , 2 ; J O H N 1 : 4 ; P S A LM 27: 1 ;
P S A LM 3 6 : 9 ; P S A L M 9 7: 1 1

FOR GOD TO CONTINUE HIS WORK IN US

Blessed Lord Jesus, you have ransomed and redeemed

us. Now leave us not in this wilderness, but take us to
your Zion with songs and everlasting joy on our heads.
Mercifully make our sorrow and sighing flee away, take
11

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

away its power over us and in its place leave your joy and
gladness. Amen. I S A I A H 3 5 : 1 0
Father, into the lives we have laid waste you have broken
forth with joy. O Lord, today and evermore comfort us
with your redemption, and make our astonished mouths
to sing. In Jesus blessed Name. Amen. I S A I A H 5 2 : 9
Heavenly Father, I have been hated and forsaken so that
none wanted to know me and I didnt even want to know
myself, but you who make all things new have made me
new. Now make me, I pray, by the gracious cleansing
blood of Jesus Christ, an eternal excellency and the joy
of many generations. Amen. I S A I A H 6 0 : 1 5 ; R E V E L AT I O N
2 1 : 5 ; 2 C O R I N T H I A N S 5 : 1 7 ; G A L AT I A N S 6 : 1 5 ; E P H E S I A N S 4 : 2 4 ;
C O LO S S I A N S 3 : 1 0 ; R O M A N S 8 : 2 9

FOR REJOICING IN GODS GRACE

O Father, you graciously cry to us, Every one that thirsts,

come drink, and every one who has no money, come,
buy and eat. Father, I have spent all my money on bread
that does not nourish, and all my labour on what cannot
satisfy, and am empty still. Have mercy, O Father, open
my ears that I might hearken diligently to you, and eat
what is good, and delight my soul in fatness. Open my
ears, Father, that I might hear and live, and make with

12

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

me the everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David.

In Jesus blessed Name. Amen. I S A I A H 5 5 : 1 3
FOR HEALING BODY AND SOUL

Blessed God and heavenly Father, the word that goes

forth from your mouth never returns to you empty, but
surely accomplishes your will; you have promised to lead
me out with joy and peace, so that the mountains and
little hills break forth with singing and all the trees of
the field clap their hands. Now do it, O Lord, I pray, do
it and make my healing into a name for yourself and an
everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. In Jesus Name.
Amen. I S A I A H 5 5 : 1 1 1 3
FOR ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
AND ADOPTION

O Jesus, full of mercy, I come to you covered in the ashes

of my sin, filled with sadness, regret, and sorrow, miserably mourning what I have been and what I cannot be. In
me there is neither help nor health. Restore me. Heal me,
I pray. Graciously bind my broken heart. Open the door
of my prison and proclaim my liberty, comfort me in my
mourning, and give me your beauty for ashes, the oil of
joy for mourning, and change my spirit of heaviness for
the garment of praise. By your Holy Spirit, make me to
be called a tree of your righteousness, your planting, and
everlastingly glorify yourself in me. Amen. I S A I A H 61 : 1 3
13

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

O blessed Jesus, through my own fault and weakness I am

forsaken and hated, so that I am utterly alone. I have cut
myself off from man and God, but you, O Lord, promise
that you will make me an eternal excellency and a joy
of many generations. Wherefore make me now to know
that you are my Saviour and Redeemer, the mighty One
of Jacob. Amen. I S A I A H 6 0 : 1 5 1 6
O Lord, men have hated me and cast me out for your
Names sake; appear now to my joy, and make all that
hate you ashamed. In Jesus Name. Amen. I S A I A H 6 6 : 5
FOR BUILDING THE OLD WASTES AND
RAISING UP THE DESOLATIONS

Everlasting Father, whose prophet promised that your

Redeemed would build the old wastes, raise up the former
desolations, and repair the waste cities and desolations of
many generations, we look around us and see only ruins,
ours and the worlds, and our hearts faint. Graciously give
us eyes to see, we pray, the Kingdom our Lord Jesus is
building, to recognize his people at work, to grasp his
eternal purpose and glory, and to join in it with gladness
and unshakeably stubborn hope. Make us able to look
not at things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen; not at things earthly and passing, but at
things eternal, and to rejoice. Through Jesus Christ.
Amen. I S A I A H 61 : 4 ; C O R I N T H I A N S 4 : 1 8
14

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR COMFORT FROM CHRISTS WORK

O Father of all mercy, I search my heart and find only

shame and confusion, memories of sin I cannot remove.
But by the mystery of Jesus loving Incarnation, by his
Holy Birth and Circumcision, by his perfect obedience
throughout his life, by his Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation, by his Agony and Bloody Sweat, by his Cross
and Passion, by his precious Death and Burial, by his
glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the coming
of the Holy Ghost, you have removed my shame forever,
and banished all my confusion. Have mercy now on the
weakness of my blind and despairing flesh, I lift up my
soul unto you: O help me enter into the joy of my Lord.
For my shame give me a double portion of your love,
for confusion rejoicing in you, my portion, and in your
kingdom everlasting joy. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
I S A I A H 61 :7; P S A L M 2 5 : 1 ; M AT T H E W 2 5 : 2 3

Everlasting Father, who creates new heavens and a new

earth so that the former shall not be remembered or come
to mind; make me glad and let me rejoice forever in your
new creation; bring me in to that new Jerusalem where
the voice of weeping is no more heard, nor the voice of
crying. In Jesus Name. Amen. I S A I A H 6 5 : 1 7 1 9

15

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

COMPLAINING TO GOD

Father in heaven, when I found your words I ate them,

and your word was for me the joy and rejoicing of my
heart; why is my pain now perpetual and my wound
incurable? Will you be a liar to me, and waters that fail? O
Lord, you know me, you know my confusion and sorrow
of heart. Remember me, visit me, make me a fortified,
brazen wall against despair, let it not prevail against me
but work with me to save me and deliver me. For Jesus
sake. Amen. J E R E M I A H 1 5 : 1 6 , 1 8 , 2 0, 2 1
O Lord, you have redeemed me, and ransomed me from
the hand of all who are stronger than I; let me rejoice in
your goodness, remembering all your blessings from all
eternity, and make my soul as a watered garden, so that
I do not sorrow any more at all. Turn my mourning into
joy, comfort me, and from the pit of my sorrow make me
rejoice. In the Name of Jesus, our only Mediator and
Redeemer. Amen. J E R E M I A H 3 1 : 1 1 1 3
FOR CURING THE INCURABLE

O merciful Father, who bring to the incurable health and

cure, cure me, I pray, with the abundance of your peace
and truth. Deliver my soul from the war of doubt, the
scourge of fear, the sickness of despair, and the captivity
of depression. Build me up; cleanse me from all iniquity,
pardon my sin, and make for yourself in me a name of
16

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

joy and a praise and honour before all the earth for the
good that you do to me and all your people. For Jesus
Christs sake. Amen. J E R E M I A H 3 3 : 6 9
FOR ENJOYING THE GRACE OF GOD

Father of all mercies, you find my heart desolate and

deserted; call forth in her the voice of joy and gladness,
make me hear the voice of the Bridegroom calling to me,
his bride, and let my voice say, Praise the Lord of hosts,
for the Lord is good, and his mercy endureth for ever.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. J E R E M I A H 3 3 : 1 0 1 1
FOR INCREASE OF LOVE BY SEEING
GODS GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS

O Lord my God, before the foundations of the earth

were laid you prepared for your people this gracious
offer: Call unto me, and I will answer you, and show
you great and mighty things which you do not know.
O Lord, I answer, I respond, I take up your promise and
call on you: Show me those great and mighty things.
Show me what eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart
imagined. Show me those great and mighty things you
have prepared for those who love you and so increase my
wondering love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
JEREMIAH 33:3; 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9

17

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR SUBMISSION TO GOD

O merciful Father, you do not willingly afflict nor grieve

the children of men and your mercies are new every
morning; have pity on my grief, graciously relieve my
mourning; have compassion on me according to your
unfailing mercy, take my eyes off my affliction and turn
them to your sure mercies; for if I have grief, I have caused
it, but you will wipe away my tears; if I mourn, it is for my
wrong, but you will forgive; if I fear, it is my doubt, but
you will remain faithful; if my folly has cast me down,
you will lift me up, because your mercy endures forever,
and your love is so fierce that it will break down even my
forward and foolish opposition and bring me into your
everlasting arms. Through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
L A M E N TAT I O N S 3 : 2 2 2 3 ; L A M E N TAT I O N S 3 1 3 3 ; I S A I A H 5 5 : 3 ;
AC T S 1 3 : 3 4 ; I S A I A H 2 5 : 8 ; R E V E L AT I O N 7: 1 7; R E V E L AT I O N 2 1 : 4 ; 2
T I M OT H Y 2 : 1 3 ; P S A L M 1 3 6 ; D E U T E R O N O M Y 3 3 : 2 7

A PLEA FOR RENEWAL

O Father, I find only terror and fear and sorrow and

despair on every side, and I say, Surely you have brought
me into darkness, not into light, and beaten me with the
rod of your wrath. Surely you set your hand against me all
day. You have made me old, you have broken my bones,
you have covered me in bitterness and galling labor, and
I reach for you but cannot escape this dark place.

18

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

If I cry to you and shout, you shut out my prayer.

You have become to me like a bear lying in wait, or a
lion lurking in ambush, and if my burden eases even for
a moment, you attack again.
I am your target, you aim at my heart, you empty
your quiver into me. My people deride me, and make
jokes and songs ridiculing me because I have trusted in
you and upheld your word.
You have made me drunk with wormwood, you have
broken my teeth with gravel, you have covered me with
ashes, and my soul is so far from peace I dont even recognize the word.
What is peace? What is prosperity? Did I have
strength to trust you? Did I give birth to hope within
myself? Did you not find me unbelieving and hopeless
and plant faith and hope in me? Did I ever look up to
heaven until you lifted up my head? Did you make me to
hope only for all this? My soul recalls that honeymoon
with you, and inches toward hope but is thrown back
down.
I am humbled, I am humiliated that I am angry at you,
I despair because you, my only hope, have left me here,
no, worse, that you who control all things have brought
me to this pass. Oh, Father, I am trying, help me!
Help me call this to mind so I have hope: it is of your
mercies that I am not consumed because your compassions never fail. How can I complain, a sinful man for
19

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

the punishment of my sin? Yet your compassions are

new every morning. You renew them to me every morning. Your mercy does not tire, wear out, or expire, even
in the teeth of my unbelief and despair. Great is your
faithfulnessyours, not mine. O Father. Make my soul
able to say, my lips to exult, that you are my portion, and
therefore I will hope in you, and you alone.
Who do I have in heaven but you? And there is none
on earth that I desire compared to you.
O Father, make my heart to know and my eyes to
see and my mind to believe, show me, Father, that you
are good to those who wait for you, and to the soul that
seeks you. Against my splintery nature, against the lying witness of my eyes and mind, against my pain and
refusal, help me say, it is good that a man should both
hope and quietly wait for the Lords salvation. It is good
that I bear this yoke of suffering, I will sit alone and clamp
my hand over my mouth because you and you only have
laid it on me, and I will not question your goodness or
your power. I will kneel, I will put my face in the dust, I
will hope. Like Jesus, I will give my cheek to the smiter,
I will be filled full with reproach, because I know this:
the Lord will not cast off forever.
Although you cause me grief, you will yet have compassion according to your uncountable mercies. O God,
give me grace to see that you do not willingly afflict or
grieve the children of men. Give me grace to see that I
20

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

cannot complain that you punish me for my sin. The wonder is that you have mercy. O Father, for Jesus Christs
sake, forgive my doubt. Forgive my hopelessness. Forgive
my turning from you and believing the world and my
eyes instead of you. Forgive my despair.
O Father, my sin is aggravated because I have ignored
your innumerable mercies throughout my life already,
my creation, your gracious love and calling. Thank you
for renewing your mercies to me every day.
O Father, your justice is perfect, and if you were to
mark my every sin and misstep, how could I stand? But
there is mercy and forgiveness with you, so that you
may be feared. How precious is that mercy, how much
mightier than my sin! With my hands I lift up my heart
to you, my God in the heavens, and I thank you for your
renewing mercies. Through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of
God. Amen. L A M E N TAT I O N S 3 : 1 4 1 ; P S A L M 7 3 : 2 5 ; P S A L M
130:34; ISAIAH 50:6

FOR OUR NATION

O Lord, among a wicked people I have heard your word,

and am afraid. O God, revive your work in the midst
of these passing years, and in wrath remember mercy.
Lord, who can stand before the fierce brightness of your
coming? You break the earth in pieces, the earth trembles,
the deep waters overflow. Not one can stand in the day of
your anger, and we are a nation that has angered you. Still,
21

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

even if the fig does not blossom, the vine bears no fruit,
the fields fail, and the flocks flee, still will I rejoice in you,
I will take joy in the God of my salvation. O Lord, you
are my strength, and you will make my feet nimble like
the deers feet, and make me safely walk in high places,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. H A B A K K U K 3 : 1 1 9
FOR THE FATHERS COMFORTS

O Lord, even sunk in sin and failure and sorrow your

mercy makes me new. In the midst of my life, you are
mighty, you will save, and you will rejoice over me with
joy. You will rest in your love, and joy over me with singing. O Lord, hold me in your lap and let me rest in you
for Jesus Christs sake. Amen. Z E P H A N I A H 3 : 1 7
TO ABIDE WITH GOD

Father in heaven, for mourning and fasts, you give us joy

and gladness and cheerful feasts. Give us grace to love
your truth, to live in your peace, and to rest there. For
Jesus sake. Amen. Z E C H A R I A H 8 : 1 7
FOR AWARENESS OF GOD

Everlasting Father, when the three wise men saw Christs

star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy because you
were leading them to him. Give me grace to see his star,
leading me to him, and at every sign of your love, to
22

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

rejoice with exceeding great joy, knowing that you have

not abandoned me to wander hopelessly, but that you
keep drawing me surely to yourself. Thank you, In Jesus
Name. Amen. M AT T H E W 2 : 1 0
FOR A FERTILE HEART

O Holy Spirit, with trembling I read that some seed falls

into stony places; those stony ground men hear the word
and receive it with joy but it takes no root. They fall away
and are offended when trouble rises on account of your
word. O do not number me with those who fall away!
Look with pity on my weakness and make your Word
take deep root in me and give me that strength of soul
that only you can give. O God, give me that joy in Jesus
Christ that lasts now and forever. Amen. M AT T H E W 1 0 : 2 0
TO VALUE GODS LOVE RIGHTLY

Father, your kingdom is like hidden treasure in a field.

Make me that man who finds that treasure, hides it in
my heart, and for the joy of it sells all else that I have just
to buy that field, counting everything else dung beside
knowing Jesus Christ. Amen. M AT TH E W 1 3 : 4 4 ; P H I LI P P I A N S
3:8

23

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR RELIANCE ON GOD, NOT SELF

O God, there are no words I long more to hear than Well

done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy
Lord. But when I measure myself, how can that ever
happen? O Lord, unless you mercifully make me able to
serve you, unless you take my deeds and thoughts and
words and accept them as the clumsy but loving gifts of
a child, unless you make them perfect by Christs blood
and cause them with all their shortcomings to build your
kingdom, I will never hear those words.
But, gracious Father, you have answered before I knew
to pray. Before the worlds foundation you chose me to
stand before you without blame in love, so you have made
all things work so you could adopt me as your son by Jesus Christ, and you have accepted me in your Beloved. O
God, make me dwell on what you have done, not what I
have done, and rest in the merit and blood of Jesus Christ.
Amen. M AT T H E W 2 5 : 2 1 ; E P H E S I A N S 1 : 4 6 ; I S A I A H 6 5 : 2 4
UNDER CHASTENING

Heavenly Father, I find only grief and no joy in your

chastening. Graciously help me to see that you send it
for my blessing, and that it will surely yield the peaceable
fruit of righteousness in me, and so to count it all joy
through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen. H E B R E W S 1 2 : 1 1 ;
JA M E S 1 : 2

24

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR GRACE IN THIS CHANGING WORLD

Merciful Lord, grant us grace to live in this crosswise and

contrary world not in the presence of ever-threatening
loss and failure and sorrow, but glad of heart for all the
goodness that you have done and will do for us your
people in Jesus Christ our Great King and Redeemer.
Amen. 1 K I N G S 8 : 6 6
Father of all mercy and grace, through the darkness and
doubt I have put my trust in you. Let me evermore shout
for joy, because you defend me. Make me to love your
Name and be forever joyful in you. Do this for Jesus
Christs sake. Amen. P S A L M 5 : 1 1
FOR DELIVERANCE FROM TOOSTRONG ENEMIES

Almighty God, the enemies of my soul are too great and

too many for me, they attack too fiercely, too fast, too
stubbornly. Fight against them, O Lord, stand up to help
me; turn them back, bring them to confusion, confound
them and put them to shame before they destroy me!
O make my soul joyful in the Lord, and let me rejoice
in my salvation, and all my bones shall say, Lord, who
is like you, who delivers the poor from him that is too
strong for him? Through Jesus Christ our great Savior.
Amen. P S A LM 3 5 : 1 1 0

25

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR A HOLY MEMORY OF GODS PAST

AND FUTURE PROVIDENCE

O Father, because you have been my helper, you will

again be my helper, because your mercies never fail and
you never change, you must always be true to yourself.
You brought me out of my mothers womb, you took
my hand and taught me to walk, you raised me up, you
covered me with blessing, you have delivered me from
uncounted disasters and implacable enemies: surely you
will not fail me now. Surely the God who has cared for me
so long will renew his mercies to me this day and forever,
and I will rejoice under the shadow of your wings. For
Jesus blessed Names sake. Amen. P SA LM 6 3 : 8 ; P SA LM 7 1 : 5;
L A M E NTATI O N S 3:22 23; M A L AC H I 3: 6; I SA I A H 4 0 : 3 1 ; I SA I A H 41 : 13;
ISAIAH 42:6; NUMBERS 23:19; 1 SAMUEL 15:29; HEBREWS 6:18;
H E B R E W S 1 3 : 8 ; P S A LM 1 03 : 17; P S A LM 1 0 5 : 8 1 0 ; R O M A N S 8 : 3 1 32 ;
R O M A N S 1 1 : 2 9 ; P H I LI P P I A N S 1 : 6

FOR REJOICING IN HEAVEN

Blessed Lord Jesus, you teach us that when even one

sinner repents that the angels of God rejoice; by your
Spirit so order us and make us steadfast in faith that
your angels and all the company of heaven rejoice over
your great work in us. Amen. C O LO S S I A N S 2 : 5 ; LU K E 1 5 : 9

26

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

FOR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD

O my God, searching for you in the barren and dry land

of myself, my soul thirsts unto death, but when I look for
you in your sanctuary, both in heaven and earth, then I
behold and see your power and your glory. Who have I
in heaven and earth but you? My flesh and my heart fail,
but you, God, are the strength of my heart, you are my
portion forever. Your lovingkindness is better than life
itself. Grant that as long as I live I will magnify you this
way, lifting up my hands in your Name, and my soul shall
be satisfied with marrow and fatness when my mouth
praises you with joyful lips. And grant that at the last you
will receive me into everlasting life. In the blessed Name
of Jesus our Saviour. Amen. P S A L M 6 3 : 1 6 ; P S A LM 7 3 : 2 5
FOR PEACE

In the night time, O Father, in the night I woke and terrors seized me, but then I remembered you on my bed,
and thought on your love as I was waking, and recalled
that you are my helper, that Christ is my Redeemer, and
so I will not fear what man can do to me, because you
are on my side, because you take my part with those
who help me. In the almighty Name of Jesus, who sits in
heaven enthroned in all power, waiting for his enemies to
be made his footstool. Amen. P S A L M 6 3 :7 8 ; P S A LM 1 1 8 : 6 ;
R O M A N S 8 : 3 1 3 2 ; P S A L M 1 1 0 : 1 ; P H I L I P P I A N S 4 : 6 ; H E B R E W S 1 : 3 ;
HEBREWS 10:13

27

P R A Y E R S

F O R

J O Y

REJOICING IN THE VICTORY OF GOD

O sing unto the Lord a new song because the old song
cannot reach his new and glorious work! With his right
hand and holy arm God has won the victory. He has made
all things new. He has made known his salvation, he has
openly showed his salvation in the sight of scoffers, so
that all the earths ends have seen our Gods salvation.
God has raised him up, God has loosed the pains of
death, for it was not possible that death could hold Him!
Make a joyful noise unto him, all earth! All you peoples,
make a loud noise, louder still and louder, praise him
and rejoice! Sing with a harp and a psalm, with trumpets
and trombones and cornets and kettle drums and fiddles
and guitars and mandolins bagpipes and flutes and fifes
and snare drums and bass drums and glockenspiels and
tambourines! Roar, you restless sea, shout, you foaming
waves! Sing, world, and all you that dwell in the world!
Dance hills, and show your joy before the Lord, because
he is coming to judge the earth: he is coming to judge
the world with righteousness, and the people with equity.
Amen. P S A LM 9 8 ; AC T S 2 : 2 4 ; R E V E L AT I O N 2 1 : 5

Soli Deo Gloria

28