A Prayer for Joy Amidst the Heartache
By Rachel Wojo
Bible Reading
"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11
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The holidays are upon us, and they are usually portrayed as a time of joy and celebration. But what if joy feels out of reach? What if you're carrying the weight of heartache instead of excitement? This season can feel like a spotlight on all the things that haven't gone as planned, on the pain we try to bury under the surface. It's hard to find joy when you're struggling, especially when everyone around you seems so full of it.
I remember a holiday season not too long ago when joy felt like a distant dream. Grief and heartache had stolen its place. Each day felt heavy, and finding that spark of joy I had always looked forward to seemed impossible. But in those moments, I realized that the joy God offers isn't tied to our circumstances. It's not found in the perfect family gatherings or beautifully wrapped gifts. It's found in His presence, even in the middle of our pain.
This verse doesn't deny the reality of our struggles. It doesn't pretend the heartache isn't there. But it tells us that even during our pain, when we draw near to God, there's joy in His presence. It may not look like the joy we expect, but it's a deep, sustaining joy that can carry us through the darkest times. It's a joy that endures, that doesn't fade with our circumstances. If you're struggling to find joy this holiday season, I encourage you to run to your heavenly Father. Bring Him your heartache, your doubts, and your weariness. Joy doesn't have to mean you're always smiling—it means trusting that God is with you and carrying you through, even when life feels hard.
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father,
We come to You today feeling the weight of heartache. The joy that seems to fill the season feels far from our reality. But, God, You promise us that in Your presence, there is fullness of joy. We ask that You fill our hearts with that joy today, even as we carry pain and sorrow. Teach us to find joy not in our circumstances but in You. We take comfort in knowing that You understand our struggles and are with us in them. Lord, we know that joy and heartache can exist together. Help us to see the glimpses of Your goodness, even in the most challenging moments. Let Your joy be our strength when we feel weak and weary. Thank You for being our source of joy, even when life doesn't make sense.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for joining me today. I hope this prayer has been an encouragement to you during your current season. If you're looking for more guidance on deepening your prayer life in tough times, I invite you to check out my new book, Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life's Darkest Moments. You'll find real-life stories, prayers, and practical ways to connect with God when you need Him most. You can learn more at desperateprayers.com.
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Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
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Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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