12/08/2024

Read: Isaiah 56:7 - “Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Reflect: We have good reason to be joyful during the Advent season considering all that it represents. And we usually express this joy outwardly, in our worship, our conversations, our fellowship. But when was the last time you were joyful in the house of prayer? Much of our prayer is spent petitioning the Lord for our needs, expressing our pain or sorrow, and this is healthy! God desires for us to lay all that’s in our hearts before Him; to make known all our requests. But as we come into the Lord’s presence, there is so much to be joyful over. The fact that can even boldly enter God’s presence through the person of Jesus is cause for rejoicing. If you look at the Psalms, David cried out to God and lamented his hardships, but he spent just as much, if not more, time joyfully praising the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness. We are meant to be a joyful people, especially in our prayers.

Respond: Go to the Lord now with a joyful heart, praising Him for how good He has been to you. Consider and name every blessing you can think of that He has given you. Seek to have joy, even as you pray for His help in difficult matters.