Day 20 – The Spirit of Joy
Throughout this program, we are praying and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the most beautiful things that we realize with the Holy Spirit is the joy that he brings to the Church and all who love him. Jesus highlights the power of the mission of the Holy Spirit. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”.(John 15:11) Yes, we should journey under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who gives joy even in times of trials and hardships. Joy is cited among the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatins 5:22-23) and one of the characteristics of the kingdom of the kingdom of God. In Romans 14:7, St Paul reminds us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. So as Christians, Joy is essential. As God’s children, our life must be characterized by joy and love. At the same time we must rejoice as children of the resurrection. This thirty day of prayer should help us to rediscover the importance and the power of joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
King David in Psalm 16:11, makes this observation: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” The bold truth is that, our pursuit of money, wealth, security, worldly pleasures, our external appearance, our promotion, our political ambitions, our scientific research, our achievement in various areas of life cannot secure our state of joy. You see, Joy is not just an unstable feeling of happiness. Joy is synonymous with God's presence. Joy comes from being in an intimate relationship with God the Father and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Joy is internal, selfless, sacrificial and a spiritual connection to God the Father. Pray that as we are entering the nine last days of our prayer journey, we may be filled with the Holy Spirit of Joy!
Prayer:
God, Father of heaven, you are the source of true joy. In Psalm 16:11, your word says, “In Your presence, there is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever”. Come Holy Spirit of Joy, fill me with your presence!
Holy Father, the Apostle John in reports us the words of Jesus in his Gospel chapter 15:11. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” In the name Of Jesus, fill me with the fullness of your joy!
Father, it is your desire to fill us with joy. According to the Apostle Paul in his Letter to the Romans 15:13, the Bible says, “Now may God fill you overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him.” May your Holy Spirit fill us with unconditional joy in the name of Jesus!
Lord, your word in Nehemiah 8:10 tells us not to grieve, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. And Paul to the Romans 15:13 pray that the God of hope may fill us with all joy and peace as we totally trust in him.
Just as the disciples were overflowed with the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:52, May this prayer program fill us with your Holy Spirit.!