AN ARRIVAL OF JOY
Hey, hey! I’m sharing 25 devotional and guided prayers this month. I started December 1st. But you can enjoy them, no matter when you see this.
12/15 WHAT IS JOY?
Bible Verse: Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection: Joy is deeper than happiness. That’s because joy flows from knowing and trusting God. It’s deeply rooted in God’s presence, promises, and the power of His Holy Spirit, not in shifting seasons and changing circumstances. That is how joy anchors and steadies us—even in life’s ups and downs.
Prayer: God, help me to trust Your goodness and faithfulness. Fill me with Your joy, so I’m steady no matter what my day looks like. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Kindness Act: Try to share a smile or kind word with those you meet today. Let God’s joy shine through you.
12/16 JOY IN GOD’S PRESENCE
Bible Verse: Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (NKJV)
Reflection: Happiness is something you feel, but joy is something that fills you. When you spend time with God, His joy fills every part of your heart. In His presence, joy isn’t just a fleeting emotion—it’s fullness, a deep and lasting satisfaction that carries us through life’s highs and lows.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of Your presence. Help me to seek You more, knowing that in You, I’ll find fullness of joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Kindness Act: Make a JOY pack full of small, inexpensive things that bring you joy. Put one away for the days you need it, and give one to someone else!
12/17 JOY IN THE WINTER
Bible Verse: Habakkuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Reflection: Winter can feel bleak and barren—like empty fields, closed doors, and cold hearts. But every winter prepares the ground for a future harvest. My point? Even when things seem useless, God is breathing new life beneath the surface. And that is the joy we hold onto: God’s promises are sure, even if we can’t see Him working. God is constantly renewing life in you and around you. May you see God’s promises and find joy even in the winter.
Prayer: God, help me find joy knowing You keep Your promises. Anchor my heart in Your faithfulness, no matter how things look today. You once promised the world a Savior, and now we celebrate that promise fulfilled. We trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Action: Share a testimony of God’s faithfulness with someone today. Your story can help them find joy—and remind you of God’s power to renew and restore.
12/18 JOY IN SMALL THINGS
Bible Verse: Job 8:7
And though you started with little, you will end with much. (NLT)
Reflection: A tiny seed can grow into something large and strong. Jesus, the Savior of the world, came into this earth as a seed, not a superhero. But His life unlocks our salvation and bigger purpose. So, don’t overlook an ordinary beginning—they may hold the keys to a bigger purpose.
Prayer: God, thank You for the small beginnings that lead to great things. Help me to value the little steps, trust Your timing, and see the beauty in the process. May I never overlook Your goodness in the ordinary. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Action: Pause today to celebrate something ordinary in your life. Ask God to help you see the seed of His goodness—it’s worth noticing and celebrating!
12/19 JOY IN COMMUNITY
Bible Verse: Psalm 133:1
A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Reflection: Sometimes the best ‘next step’ isn’t a new strategy or a coach—it’s finding your community. God made people to grow and thrive together, not to be alone. Community gives us a sense of belonging, safety, wisdom, strength, purpose, and more. The joy of sharing life with others reflects God’s heart, unlocks deeper joy, and is good for us. That’s why today’s verse is Psalm 133:1, reminding us how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.
Prayer: God, thank You for the strength and beauty that comes from unity in community, not division. Help me to care for the relationships You’ve given me. Show me how to live in peace with others and spread joy wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Action: Think about a healthy community — list why this community is healthy or how this healthy community blessed your life.
12/20 JOY IS YOUR STRENGTH
Bible Verse: Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Reflection: In Nehemiah 8, the people of Israel gathered to hear God’s Law after years of exile. As they listened, their hearts were pierced—they realized how far they had strayed and wept with conviction.
But God’s leaders, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites didn’t leave them hanging in sorrow. They told the people to stop crying and start celebrating! Why? Because the joy of the Lord was their strength! And it’s your strength too.
My favorite part of this story? How the people responded by worshiping and taking action to honor God. It proves God’s Word doesn’t just show us where we’ve fallen—it points us to His grace, His goodness, and His power to make everything better.
Prayer: God, thank You for the gift of Your Word that leads, convicts, and strengthens me. Just as the people in Nehemiah’s time wept, worshipped, and celebrated when they heard Your law—let my heart respond to You with the same joy and reverence. Help me to embrace conviction with humility and turn it into action that honors You. Let Your joy be my strength in every moment. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Action: Ask God to guide your heart and reveal areas that need change. From there, spend 5-10 minutes with your favorite scripture. After that, write down what you sense. Now, ask yourself how you can turn what you learned into actions that honor God. Write that down too. Then, celebrate His grace in your life!
12/21 SHARE YOUR JOY
Bible Verse: John 15:9-11
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Reflection: Joy is a gift we receive and give away. Jesus didn’t keep His joy to Himself—He shared it freely with His disciples, empowering them to spread it. When we live in His love, His joy flows freely into our lives, spilling over to others. So, how do we get this joy? Look at John 15:9-11—Jesus invites us to stay rooted in His love and obey His teachings. And obeying isn’t about restrictions—it’s about freedom. That means obeying Jesus is life-giving. Let’s follow His example and pray His joy overflows wherever we go.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for sharing Your joy with me—a joy rooted in Your love, connection, and my obedience to You. Help me see that obeying You doesn’t hold me back but sets me free. Let Your joy flow through me, bringing peace, hope, and joy to everyone I meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Action: Reflect on today’s prayer and devotion. How did it make you feel? Hopefully, your spirit is joyful! Whatever you feel, write it down or record a quick voice note.
MORE DEVOTIONALS FOR YA’
Did you enjoy these devotionals and guided prayers? Here’s more.⬇️⬇️⬇️
Guided Prayer for Hope
Guided Prayers About Love
👋🏽 Hi, I’m LOLA ⸻ the creator of offbeat life advice brand, The Smoking Prophet, owner of a growing content agency, and cultivator of life (family first)!
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