3 traditional prayers for joy, and 12 passages from the Bible to pray with them. Choose one, read it aloud, or print it as a card to keep.
O Heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty; Open, we beseech thee, our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him by whom all things were made, thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We thank thee, our Father, for the wonderful world in which we live; for the glory of the heavens, for the beauty of earth; for the bright morning following the star-crowned night; for the song of birds, the hum of bees, the fragrance of flowers, and the laughter of children, for the industry of men and women, for all thy gifts of love. So fill us with thy presence, so lead us by thy Spirit this day, that in our homes we may be patient, in our occupations sweet, in our social relations brotherly, in all things Christlike. We ask in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
From Prayers for Special Days and Occasions (1930)
Also on Thanksgiving Prayers
Our Heavenly Father, we thank thee for the Christmas season with all its gifts and gladness. We thank thee for the love in so many hearts that finds expression in gifts and good-will; for home-gatherings and reunion of separated ones; for home joys and social festivities; and for all the gladness that brightens the weary world in this Christmas time. May we know that all these blessings are showered upon us by the hand of the Babe of Bethlehem. May not the abundance of material gifts smother the spiritual significance of the day and the gifts cause us to forget the real Giver. Move us with generous impulses to share our good things with others, and may the Spirit of Christ touch our lives with a new spirit of love and joy that will bless and make beautiful all our days. And this we ask in his name. Amen.
From Prayers for Special Days and Occasions (1930)
Also on Christmas Prayers
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100, King James Version
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24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24, King James Version
Also on Morning Prayers
13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13, King James Version
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23, King James Version
Also on Prayers to the Holy Spirit
5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5, King James Version
10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10, King James Version
11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16:11, King James Version
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:9-12, King James Version
16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, King James Version
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1When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126, King James Version
6Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. 7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalm 28:6-7, King James Version
17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17, King James Version
Also on Birthday Prayers
Start with "For Joy in God's Creation" and pray it each day, with Psalm 100 (Psalm 100) to read alongside it.
Both. They come from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, Protestant and Lutheran collections and the Bible. Most can be prayed by any Christian.
Yes. Where a prayer says "N." or "thy servant", put in the name of the person you are praying for.
They keep the words of the older prayer books and the King James Bible, the words generations have prayed. "Thee" and "thou" are the old familiar forms of "you".