Day 19 Prayers for Joy

Pray for a return or joy and happiness in their life.

Romans 15:13

"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."

Addiction feeds on the overwhelming desire to take away the pain, to not feel anymore. The problem with numbing the pain is that we can’t pick and choose what we get to numb. In an effort to alleviate pain, our loved ones inadvertently numb the joy and positive emotions and feelings in their lives just as effectively as the pain. When the feelings return, the pain leads the way and overpowers the positive emotions and they run to their drug of choice to numb themselves again. They begin to think that they will never feel true joy or happiness again. That hopelessness keeps them trapped in the cycle of addiction.

Let us pray today that God will restore joy and happiness to them. May He give them a glimpse of the joy and happiness that is available to them so that they are filled with hope and inspired to seek help. May that joy and happiness grow as they work their recoveries so that in God’s time, it is fully restored. We long for the blessing of seeing that light in their eyes once again.

Let us also pray for each other, that God will give us joy as we wait on His timing. The waiting can make time seem as it is standing still and it can rob us of our joy if we allow it too. I remember the first time I heard the saying that a mother is only as happy as her unhappiest child. As a mother of 10, I thought to myself that it’s true and that I was doomed because with as many as I have at least one of them is struggling at any given time. As I’ve worked my recovery for codependency I’ve learned that that statement is not true. I have had to learn to be okay despite whatever was going on with my children. It’s not that I don’t hurt with them or worry about them but I can not let it rob me of my God-given joy.

As someone who has struggled with suicide, depression and anxiety, I can not afford to allow myself to be dragged down into that pit and my guess is that you can’t afford it either. No matter how strong we think we are, that strength will eventually give way if we neglect our own well-being. I have learned to discipline myself to focus on the present instead of worrying about the future. I focus on enjoying the ones that did show up instead of grieving the ones that aren’t with me.

I have embraced the serenity prayer and put my focus on what I can change while letting go of what I can not change. I will list the full serenity prayer below. I recommend memorizing it and reciting it when things begin to feel overwhelming. It’s a little prayer with mighty power. I hope it helps you like it has helped me.

May God bless you on this journey!

God, grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,

enjoying one moment at a time,

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace,

taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it,

trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His will,

so that I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

forever in the next.

Amen.

Precious Heavenly Father,

Today we lift up our addicted loved ones, asking for the return of joy and happiness in their lives. Lord, we know that addiction can rob them of peace, hope, and joy, but we trust in Your ability to restore what has been lost. We pray that You fill their hearts with a joy that comes from knowing You, a joy that cannot be taken away by circumstances.

Help them to find moments of happiness and laughter, even in the midst of their struggles. May they experience Your joy as their strength, and may it bring light into the darkest areas of their lives. Surround them with people who uplift their spirits and help them rediscover the beauty and goodness in life.

Lord, renew their hope and restore their joy. We believe in Your power to heal and bring joy that overflows. Thank You for the gift of Your presence, which brings fullness of joy.

In Jesus’ mighty name,Amen.

John 15:11

"I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

James 1:2-3

"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."

Isaiah 55:12

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

1 Peter 1:8

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."