Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for that is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Joy and a heart that prays and gives Christ praise, is God’s will for each of us. None of these should fluctuate with our feelings nor our circumstances. We must make a conscious decision to pray and give God thanks for who He is, no matter what surrounds us. Our joy is not circumstantial, but rather is rooted in our assurance that our hope is secure in our Savior. Happiness comes and goes, but joy, deep, lasting joy that is a gift from God, remains in spite of that which surrounds us. To pray continually does not mean to be permanently fixed to the floor on our knees, but rather to hold a posture in our hearts that is constantly submitted to the will of God, and ever listening to hear His voice as we seek and submit all things to Him. Giving thanks in all circumstances does not mean that we are manufacturing false gratitude for hard and horrible things, but rather that we are thankful for the One who will never leave us nor forsake us, despite the dismal or dire situation that we are in.
Be joyful always,
continue to pray;
always give Him thanks,
for all of our days.
For it is His will,
in His only Son;
to earnestly seek,
praise the Holy One.
No matter what comes,
may our joy remain;
not swayed by trial,
held fast in His Name.
All thanks be to God,
to Whom our hearts pray;
allow His joy reign,
our Hope each new day.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You made the way for us to come to You and pray to You, without reservation nor restrictions. Thank You that we can come as we are, and be heard by You. Thank You that our joy is not dependent on our circumstance, but rather is rooted in our lasting hope that is held in You. Thank You that no matter what trials we face, nothing can steal the hope that we have in You. Thank You that though we may loathe our circumstances, we can always give You thanks for Your presence. Forgive us for confusing joy with happiness, and somehow thinking that circumstances have anything to do with true and lasting joy. Please teach us to pray in all things and at all times, and to continually give You thanks and praise for who You are, and Your faithfulness to remain present with us. Teach us to trust You more. May the joy we have in You, be the very thing that draws others unto You. Let us love as You love us, and may many come to know You as their Savior and Lord. May all that we say and do extend thanks and praise up to You. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – I Chronicles 16:31
