Personal Prayer
Praise God for the privilege of coming to him in worship and praise today. Give thanks with “shouts of joy and thanksgiving” (Ps. 42:4) for God’s many benefits. Confess your occasional lack of enthusiasm in devotion. Commit yourself to “festive” times of personal worship. Ask God to meet with you on those occasions.

For Your Family and Friends
Ask that the devotional experiences of your family and friends will be characterized by joy. Pray that the Spirit will enliven their walk with God.

For the Church
Ask God to bless the work of outreach ministries in your neighborhood or city. Pray that they will be empowered as they seek to bring the gospel to needy people.

For the Kingdom
Pray for any in your congregation who are unemployed or underemployed. Ask God to provide the work and financial resources needed. Ask him to grant encouragement to these people—perhaps through you.

For People to Know Jesus
Pray that an unbelieving neighbor might be led to question your joy in serving the Lord and thus provide an opportunity for you to share your faith. Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear these divine encounters.

Prayer Pointer
“Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.” —John Bunyan