A prayer of joy (and why joy works in a messed-up world)

Oh, Lord,

I rejoice in your lovingkindness,
your love,
your goodness,
your faithfulness,
your patience,
your forgiveness,
your gentleness,
your justice,
your generosity,
your righteousness,
and your discipline.

Your works and your ways are mysterious,
but I trust them
because you have always shown yourself to be trustworthy.
You are good, and you only do good.

Thank you for the history of the world:
because in the midst of chaos, suffering, and victimization,
you have always shown yourself loving, just, and faithful.
You have always redeemed those who seek you.
You have always blessed those who follow you.

You are father to the fatherless (that’s me)!
You defend the widow (that was my mom)!
You put the lonely in families (that’s so many of us)!
You free the prisoners (that’s justice).
You shake the world with your might and power.
You paint it in brilliant colors,
and you give it to us to enjoy (everybody can see your works!).

Praise be to the Lord who daily bears our burdens!

I will praise you in church.
I will praise you at home.
I will praise you at work.
I will praise you with my life.

And it will not scratch the surface of who you are
or what joy you bring me.
I don’t deserve joy or happiness, but you give it freely anyway.

You are awesome and inspiring.
I worship you.
I humble myself before you.
I long for you because only your Spirit satisfies me.

In your Son’s holy name,
Amen.

Prayer is taken from Psalm 68