We enjoyed a rich morning of worship around our King of Joy! Since our corporate prayer was so filled with bright hope, I wanted to send it out.
We would all do well to review this prayer throughout the week, continuing to keep its abundant joy at the front of our minds. The puritans get an inaccurate rap as sour people who were too focused on holiness to be happy and glad in life. But in truth, they were incredibly happy because of the inextricable link between happiness and holiness. What incredible joy and gladness do we find prayed in the following prayer from the Valley of Vision.
—————————–
CORPORATE PRAYER – JOY
O CHRIST,
All your ways of mercy tend to and end in
our delight.
You did weep, sorrow, suffer that we might rejoice.
For our joy you have sent the Comforter, multiplied your promises, shown us our future happiness, given us a living fountain.
You are preparing joy for us and us for joy; We pray for joy, wait for joy, long for joy; give us more than we can hold, desire, or think of.
Measure out to us our times and degrees of joy, at our work, business, duties.
If we weep at night, give us joy in the morning. Let us rest in the thought of your love, pardon for sin, our title to heaven, our future unspotted state.
We are unworthy recipients of your grace. We often disesteem your blood and slight your love, but can in repentance draw water from the wells of your joyous forgiveness. Let our hearts leap towards the eternal sabbath, where the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation, glorification is finished and perfected for ever, where you will rejoice over us with joy.
There is no joy like the joy of heaven, for in that state are no sad divisions, unchristian quarrels, contentions, evil designs, weariness, hunger, cold, sadness, sin, suffering, persecutions, toils of duty.
O healthful place where none are sick!
O happy land where all are kings!
O holy assembly where all are priests!
How free a state where none are servants
except to thee!
Bring us speedily to the land of joy.
– Amen!