Messenger of Joy

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God.  – 1 Jn 4:7

Reflection.  Prayer is one way to grow closer not only to God but also to those nearest to you.  Prayer makes life more bearable, and yes, even more glorious.  Learn how to rest in His love, as you give yourself to God.  Be still and know that God loves you.

Prayer.  Dear God, bring me closer to Your heart of hearts. 

If I have … all the faith to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  - 1 Cor 13:2

Reflection.  The will says yes or no.  Finding a way to work through problems in a marriage can be difficult.  Sometimes it is downright infuriating.  But once you say yes to love, your life will become easier.  It takes a vow to keep a person on the right path.  Don’t give up because of bad feelings.  True love is in the will.

Prayer.  Dear Lord, give me the strength to forgive, and to have a sense of humor as I plug along.

Sing to the Lord a new song.  His praise in the assembly of the saints.  - Ps 149:1

Reflection.  Did you ever stop to think that happiness is a choice?  We can actually make up our mind to live joyfully.  In fact, the greatest honor you can give to Almighty God, greater than all your mortifications, is to live joyfully because of the knowledge of His love.  God wants you to enjoy your precious life.  So cheer up!

Prayer.  Heavenly Father, give me the grace to choose happiness. 

Hope will not be doomed to disappointment, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  – Rom 5:5

Reflection.  Did you know that children do better in school when their parents encourage them to have a hopeful, positive attitude?  Parents have the power to give their children a gift more valuable than anything money can buy, namely the gift of hope and encouragement.  A pat on the back goes a long way.

Prayer.  Lord, help me to feel Your encouragement, as I am encouraging others. 

In my anguish I cried out to the Lord and … He heard my voice.  – Ps 18:7

Reflection.  Scripture tells us that love is patient.  It is so true.  The service of love often takes the form of waiting, which can feel like a slow death at times.  The earth waits for rain, the bud waits for warmth, and the soul waits for a union with God.  Healing is yours for the asking.

Prayer.  Dear Jesus, help me to carry my cross with courage. 

The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.  - Jas 5:15

Reflection.  Here is a prayer taken from a confederate soldier’s knapsack:  “I asked for strength that I might achieve great things, but I was made weak that I might ask for God’s strength.  I didn’t get exactly what I asked for, but did get everything I hoped for, and today, I feel richly blessed.”

Prayer.  Dear God, give me the grace to be more trusting. 

God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength.  – 1 Cor 10:13

Reflection.  Did you know that babies teach us a lot about perseverance?  For instance, babies can’t read books about how to walk.  They just keep standing up, and falling down, over and over, until finally they take their first steps, and everyone rejoices with them.  Perseverance pays.  Hang in there.

Prayer.  Help me, Lord, to be more faithful to Your holy Will. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled … Place your trust in God.  - Jn 14:1

Reflection.  The late Mother Teresa said, “If you are kind, people may take advantage of you … be kind anyway.  If you are trusting, people may try to cheat you … be trusting anyway.  If you are happy, people may become jealous … be happy anyway.”  This is good advice, coming from a woman who knew the truth and lived it.

Prayer.  Teach me, Lord, to hear Your voice within me, and to follow Your inspiration. 

Rejoice always … - 1 Thes 5:16

Reflection.  Freshen your New Year Resolutions with joy.  We end the year where we began it, with the words of Pope John Paul II: “Christ came to bring joy; joy to children, joy to parents, joy to families and to friends, joy to workers, and to scholars, joy to the sick and elderly, joy to all humanity.  In a true sense, joy is the keynote message and the recurring motif of the Gospels … Be messengers of joy.”

Prayer.  Thank You, Lord, for a grace-filled year.  Thank You for the gift of joy. 

The wolf and the lamb will feed together … They will neither harm nor destroy on My holy mountain.        - Isa 65:25

Reflection.  The peaceable Kingdom has already begun in your soul.  Share this gift with those who are lost and lonely.  Let them see that you are living in the peace and joy of Christ’s life.

Prayer.  Lord, grant that I may be a genuine carrier of Your love and mercy.  It fills me with an inner happiness just knowing that I am an instrument of Your peace.