Happiness is more than an emotion. It colors the way an individual sees everything around them. Unfortunately, it is hard for many to feel happy for long stretches of time. This is because they've been too hurt to dwell in a place of happiness for anything more than short bursts. Although there is an endless supply of entertainment to make people laugh nowadays, none of it will bring what's missing.
And what we really need is contained in the word of God because the Bible is filled with several pathways to happiness. For instance, God committed to give happiness. Specifically to those who are pleasing to Him (Ecclesiastes 2:26). There are many ways to qualify including praising Him, praying for others, and studying the Bible. Another option is to follow Jesus' example. He was anointed with the oil of joy because He loved righteousness and hated wickedness (Hebrews 1:9). Plus, Proverbs 3:18 (NLT) states that those who seek the Lord's wisdom will be rewarded with happiness. To do this, spend time reading the wisdom books in the Bible - Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, or Song of Solomon.
Given that we've discussed God's tests and discipline in recent weeks, it is crucial to note that happiness can stem from God's correction. It says so in Job 5:17 (NKJV) and if you've ever been sharply rebuked by the Holy Spirit, you'd admit how happy you were to learn your mistake and how to rectify it. Happiness is also a consequence of obeying God's instructions (Proverbs 29:18 NKJV). Furthermore, those who are gracious to the poor are happy according to Proverbs 14:21.
So, how do we put this knowledge into effect in our daily lives? By remembering that happiness comes from the Lord, therefore, we should go to Him to receive. Take a look at scripture, a few are listed above, and meet their stated conditions to get a portion. It may seem like we have to jump through hoops just so God can give us the happiness we seek. However, consider all the hoops we willingly jump through for things that are less important than the goodness God has available for us.
For so many, the things we don't have are the source of our deepest unhappiness. Yet, a solution to this is in Matthew 6:33, which teaches to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, then "all these things" will be given to us. "All these things" doesn't just mean health or wealth. Happiness is included in the list of what God has to give. Isaiah 61:3 provides another practical way to chase away unhappiness for it tells us to replace despair with a garment of praise.
God wants His people to be filled with joy but we must realize true happiness is impossible outside of Him. If true happiness is what you seek, then don't reject the many ways He can help you get there by thinking that material things will do the trick. They can never replace God or what He has to offer. His hand is stretched out to empower us to face any storm knowing that when it ends, we will remain standing. Able to successfully weather the incidents that challenge our joy without losing our hope. Without losing the very happiness we received from Him.
Trust the Lord and take a step on His journey toward the happiness that is your inheritance as His child. See you at Noon EST.
From PBS - ‘Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus, I lift up before You every animal and plant, every atmosphere, land, and waters, that are being threatened, killed, polluted, and endangered. Please extend your grace and mercy to all of Your creations. We rebuke the works of man and satan and loose Your Authority, Power, and Word into every climate, every situation and circumstance, from here to the farthest corners of the earth and throughout the heavens. Thank You Lord for extending Your justice, protection and peace to all. Thank You for providing and supplying for all of their needs. Thank You Lord for hearing their cries and sending the help they need. Thank you Lord, in Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen!’
From PBS - ‘Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before your throne of grace boldly to request for help in our time of need. Your Word says that you will listen and answer our prayers so we give you thanks before the breakthroughs and miracles appear. We walk by faith and not by sight in Jesus name.
Father, we lift before you the present and upcoming election seasons. The enemy has been sending his agents throughout the country to tamper with voting machines, suppress voter registration, create difficulties in registering, forming geographical/racial barriers to force votes to count where they shouldn’t, keep people from the polls through lies and intimidation, and other various threats, prejudices, and policies.
Father, Titus 3 instructs us that we were saved in order to do good to your glory. You have equipped us by the blood of the Lamb to live righteously, in truth, faithfulness and peace. We should not be ruled by divisiveness, foolish quarreling, and arguments designed to deceive and oppress.
Though we may face troubles on every side, we are never defeated. You promised to always give us the victory because we are more than conquerors by Christ Jesus, who strengthens us.
We are Your children Lord, and we need righteousness, truth, and peace to break every chain, seen and unseen, that is keeping fair and honest elections and voting bound. In the Name of Jesus, we bind everything that satan and man has done, is doing, and plans to do to corrupt, dishonor, confuse, and suppress the election process and results in any way—before, during, and after.
We bind every evil plot from affecting early voting, mail in ballots, voting booths, paper and electronic tallies, including those who have volunteered and assigned to oversee every process.
We bind every stronghold that is operating through commercials and social media, family and friends, churches and businesses—anyone and anything being used as vessels of deception. We bind every attack against the people to prevent them from voting due to their age, skin color, IDs, gender, status, and background.
We loose Your Presence, Word, Authority, Justice, Protection, and Peace throughout the land. Breakthrough every government system and official, and destroy every form of wickedness. Bring the plots and plans of the enemies to destruction, and expose them openly.
Dear Lord, please provide Your safety, wisdom, understanding, and discernment to the people. Expose the true intentions behind each candidate’s promises. For You know the heart and thoughts of every man, and nothing is hidden from Your sight.
Please provide safety, provisions, and protection for the people before, during, and after their voting. Protect their ballots and voter credentials from being corrupted in any way. Rebuke every hindrance operating against them as citizens.
You are the Vine, and we are the branches. You are in us and we are in You. You have placed us in the place we live for a reason. Please help us make the right decisions as citizens with clarity, authority, and truth. Be a lamp onto our feet and a light upon our path. Let us be bold and use the authority and rights that You have given us, our ancestors, our children, and every generation thereafter.
Father, we release the angels to work on the assignments that you’ve given them and thank you for their faithfulness. We cast all of our cares and concerns about the elections, the candidates, political parties, propositions, policies, agendas, and systems onto You. We cast all of our cares and concerns about our voting choices. We ask for the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding to rule within us and within every area of our lives.
For You Lord do not lie. Nor do you tempt anyone with evil. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Open our eyes and light up our hearts and minds to make the right and wise decisions, and refuse every intimidation and oppression.
We stand confident and firm—the Lord is on our side!
From MFC - Father God, thank You for sis Plunderer and her continuous prayers over the Peppers! We know that You make firm the steps of those who delight in You. Dear Lord, uphold her with Your hand so if she may stumble, she may never fall. Thank You for being her provision and protector! Nothing and no one will be able to keep her from Your love for You are with her in every situation and in every circumstance. Lord help her to walk in her purpose knowing that Your hand is upon her. Holy Spirit, fill her with the confidence to continue to do Your works with Your mighty authority, in the name of Jesus Amen.
From WG - Amen, thank you for this message it was well needed and received
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord today I pray for all Praise & Pray participants. Thank You for bringing us all together. Father, You deserve all the glory and the praise for our joining hands to pray.
James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
God, You know the needs of Your children. Supply them in accordance with Your word. I call on You to kindly have Your way in their lives. Bring upon them the rain and showers of Your favor, grace and mercy. May they smile and rejoice in You, knowing that the Creator of the Universe is the source of their happiness and everything they need for life here as they journey to eternity with You, IJMN, Amen. Glory be to Your Holy Name.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Ask the Lord to guide you toward the happiness He has for you. You are His child. Wonderfully and fearfully made in His image. He wants the best for you and if happiness is a challenge, today is the day to call on the God who answers by fire to grant it to you.
Cry out to Him in your own words. There's no right way to say it so, just talk to Him.
Tell Him you'll do what it takes so you can be anointed by His oil of joy on your head.
May the Lord who heard and answered Jabez's plain and straightforward prayer, give you your request, IJMN, Amen.
From MFC - Thank you Heavenly Father for the gift of children. I know that they are precious in your sight. I pray today for You to have extra compassion and mercy for the children of this Earth who aren’t being treated with the love You meant for them. All babies were Yours first, and we are only keepers of Your children. We uphold our responsibility to You by taking care of Your little ones. We fail when we do not. What a gift they are from You, precious Jesus. Please keep those in frightening situations safe, guarded, and at peace. Allow them to physically feel Your Spirit wrap around them. In Your almighty name, I pray. Amen.
Father, You are the God from whom all blessings flow. Thank You, Lord, for being who You are.
God, the word tells us that our fruitfulness comes from You (Hosea 14:8).
We know that satan wants people to think that You are unable to make Your people fruitful. But, I thank You, God, that You have already told us that satan is the father of lies and therefore, it's words are nothing.
Therefore, Jehovah Jireh, I call on You to please provide pay increases for Your children in their places of work. I pray that the works of their hands will be blessed and will reflect the spirit of excellence You have placed in them. I pray they will be recognized for Your presence in them and that You, Lord, will be glorified in the process, IJMN, Amen.
Frm PBS - A Prayer from I John 5:1-12
‘Heavenly Father, thank You for your Word—that it gives Light, which overcomes every darkness. Thank you for delivering us out of sin and darkness, and transferring us into the Kingdom of Your dear Son—-Jesus Christ, our Lord, the only Savior. We love You Lord!
As written in I John 5:1-12—
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood.
And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
‘Hallelujah, thank you Father God!
Thank you Lord that Your Word does not return to You void, but accomplishes ALL it’s sent out to do.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, let Your Word go forth and be magnified, revealed, and glorified, from here to the farthest corners of the earth and throughout the heavens and the earth.
Let Your angels go forth to fulfill every assignment and breakthrough to Your Glory. Let Your Name, Word, Authority, and Power take over.
Nothing and no one is impossible for You to handle!
Thank you Lord that satan is bound and defeated in the Name of Jesus!
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.
He alone is Worthy of all praise and worship.
In Jesus Name, Amen!’
*From PBS* - You will forever be my HALLELUJAH!!!
I will praise You before my BREAKTHROUGH!!!
I will sing before You Lord because I still trust You!!!
You alone are worthy of all praise, Lord Jesus!!!
Accept our praises as fragrant sacrifices, pleasing to You, glorifying Your Name!!!
We worship and honor You Lord, Amen!!!
Father thank You for protecting us from the full brunt of every attack. We appreciate Your grace that protects us even when we don't deserve it.
I was carrying a heavy item today and tried to kick a bag out of my path but my foot caught on it ... thank God I didn't trip and fall!!! Even those around me said phew, cuz that could've been a bad accident.
PRAYER
And now, we turn our attention to the plight of others. Let us pray for their needs and call on God to bless them remarkably.
No prayer is too small to sow a mighty seed in someone's life.
Not sure what to pray about? Think back to the prayer requests your fellow Peppers mentioned on Friday. Get to praying for them. Or, lift up the needs of your employer, your favorite supermarket - pray that employees maintain their jobs.
There are so many people in need of your prayers. Now is the time to honor the Lord, in obedience to His word in 1 Timothy 2:1 and call God into someone's matter.
*From MFC* - Father, I pray that You fill me with the joy of the Lord, that overwhelming joy. Your joy is unlike anything this world has to offer. It brings peace, trust and hope and with that a rest because I know You are in control.
Your Word says in Nehemiah 8:10, Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!
I will lift my eyes to the hills, Lord, because I know from You comes my joy and peace. Thank You, Father, and I love You. Amen!
Father God! Thank You for giving me enough reasons to be happy today! Thank You for blessing us so that the whole earth will fear You. Thank for making us relevant to Your purpose and helpful everywhere You place us.
Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your grace.
Lord, I want to thank You for who You are - Dependable God.
The God who wants me to smile. Who likes to spoil and bless His children.
Thank You so much for being the lover of my soul!
Jehovah Jireh, I want to thank You for Your provision. You kept Your word again and I am grateful.
Thank You for being the God who doesn't keep His people in the dark. Thank You for kind reassurance and grace.
Thank You for Your mercy and compassion.
Excellent Jehovah!
Marvelous Jehovah!
There is no one greater than Jehovah Lord Divine!
From MFC - Heavenly Father, you are my strength and my redeemer. You are my healer and my provider. Abba Father, as long as I am on this earth, I know troubles will come my way. But I know to rest in You. I know that You are in control.
As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
*From MFC* - My Father, You created me out of joy. When You made me, You said that I am perfect. You made me to live a prosperous life, full of happiness and peace. Thank you, Lord, for your abundance in all areas of my life.
Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for my friend's new baby!!!!!
I'm truly giddy for Baby N and I thank You for giving me another little child to fawn over and love.
Thank You for his safe delivery. Thank You for keeping his mommy safe. Thank You as well the joy Baby N has brought to all his family members. Thank You so much for bringing this blessing to the world.
Glory be to You great King!!!
God. Almighty. All powerful. All glorious. All wonderful.
You are the incredible Father. The Creator of Heaven and the Earth.
The Alpha and Omega.
God, You are greatly to be praised and we honor this day.
Hallelujah!