Almighty God, you are holy and divine. I am not. You handle the prayers of your saints effortlessly and keep track of the smallest details. I get lost in the fray of life, Father. I’m pulled multiple directions that dim my focus and vie for my time, work responsibilities, home repairs, ministry efforts, friends and family demands. Where is there time to sit with you? Where do I go to escape even for a few minutes and retreat into your presence? Do I need to think that way, Lord? Is there a better way than segregating time with you and everything else going on? What did you tell me, “Lo, I am with you always?” Yep, that’s what you said. You also said, “Abide in my love…These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.” In the middle of all these distractions, let me tap into your joy that constantly resides within me. Because it’s your joy, I don’t manufacture it. It doesn’t ebb and flow with the tides of emotion, fatigue and circumstance. I like nothing better than my quiet moments drinking in your love and encouragement. My soul requires those times. Don’t let me overlook them to jump into my day, but when the daily pressures and frustrations come, remind me of your joy in me. Bubble it up to overcome the stresses of the moment. Make your joy my constancy, my resilience, my go-to place of peace, and my rock. I praise you in the name of Jesus, my solid foundation, according to your good and perfect will. Amen.
“Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15: 9b-11 ESV)