“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10

Joy isn’t loud. It isn’t forced. It isn’t the smile we put on for others. Joy is the quiet strength God places inside us, the kind that holds steady even when life shakes. Happiness rises and falls with circumstances, but joy is different. Joy is rooted in presence, not perfection. It grows in the soil of trust, gratitude, and God’s nearness. Some days joy feels like a whisper. Other days it feels like a sunrise. But it is always there, because He is always there. When we pray for others, we’re not just asking God to fix things, we’re asking Him to fill their hearts with the kind of joy that carries them through the storm, not just after it. Joy is a gift, a shield, and a strength. And it’s yours today.

Father God, thank You for the joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances. Let Your joy rise in me and in every person, I pray for and encounter from my heart. Strengthen weary hearts, brighten heavy days, and remind us that Your presence is our steady place. Fill us with joy that stays, joy that lifts, and joy that shines even in the middle of the storm. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.”