But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Joy is the natural response to a gracious gift. It is even more significant that in this context, joy is one of the fruits or rewards of our yielding to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives because we obey and believe in God. In God we will always have joy, even when the storms of life come our way.
James 1:2-4 says: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Perhaps being joyful is a choice? We can choose to be joyful by the grace of the Holy Spirit that rewarded us with this joy, and if we constantly look to the Lord and love and serve and obey Him, it will become deeply rooted in us. Joy will become our second nature.
Prayer
Our Father and our God, we thank you for giving us joy as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We thank you for providing us with the ability to choose joy, no matter the circumstances because we have faith in you and your Word.
We pray that believers all over the world would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and that your church here on earth will become known for its infectious joy. Lord, fill each of us today with joy and all the other fruits of the Spirit. Help us to lead by example, bring others into a relationship with you.
We continue to pray for the upcoming women’s retreat, for all attendees, workshop leaders, our worship leader, the MC, the hospitality team, food service providers, and all logistics.
We pray that you shield us from all danger and mishaps, keep us safe and give us all journey mercies as we travel to and from the event each day and for your protection over us beginning from now, up to and during the event and beyond.
In Jesus name, Amen
Solape Delano
Prayer Coordinator for JOY 2020
