We Pray For America!
- Cultivating Joy
The hope of the righteous brings joy. – Proverbs 10:28
Are you able to develop happiness? The Mayo Clinic says you can, by doing the following five things: 1) Invest in relationships. Surround yourself with optimistic people and be kind and appreciative to everyone in your life. 2) Express gratitude. Learn to be grateful and thank God every day for the good things in your life. 3) Cultivate optimism. Learn to see the positive side of things while remaining realistic. 4) Find your purpose. Set goals and align your to-do list with your interests, passions, and meaningful relationships. 5) Live in the moment. Look for ways to enjoy the small pleasures of life, regardless of your circumstances.
Today’s verse states, “The hope of the righteous brings joy.” Christians may not be happy all of the time, but they have a deep-seated joy knowing the Lord loves, forgives, and accepts them. Believers in Jesus have a lot to be joyful about. They are adopted into God’s family. They have an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe in prayer and Bible study, through the Holy Spirit. They know that, as they follow Him, God works all things for their good. They realize that the Lord loves them and answers their prayers. If you’re feeling down, meditate on who God is and the wonderful things He has provided for you.
While you may be tempted to feel discouraged amidst political unrest, you can entrust this nation, its governing officials, and citizens to the Lord in prayer. Ask for His perfect will to be done. Be confident that, regardless of circumstances, Almighty God will take care of you.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 10:28
The hope of the righteous brings joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will perish.All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
TODAY’S NATIONAL LEADER FOR PRAYER
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- Joni Ernst, Senator from Iowa
Joni Ernst, Senator from Iowa
- Born – July 1970 in Red Oak, Iowa
- Education – B.A., Iowa State University; M.P.A., Columbus State University
- Military Service – U.S. Army, deployed to Iraq War
- Profession – Career military
- Political Experience – Montgomery County Auditor, Iowa Senate
- In office since – 2015
- Family – Divorced from Gail Ernst, 1 daughter
- Religious Affiliation – Lutheran
- Joni Ernst, Senator from Iowa
CONTINUE PRAYING WITH US
Read the Daily Prayer Briefing to view the president’s schedule and to pray for the day’s current events.
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