7 Prayers to Rejoice and Be Glad on All Days

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” – Exodus 20:8

Dear God, this is the Sabbath Day – a day when you want me to rest from working so I can free up time to focus on resting and worshiping with my family and friends. My mind can easily get distracted, my body can be tired, and my focus can drift to the week ahead or the tasks waiting for me at home. So, please help me to truly keep the Sabbath day holy so I can really focus on you and connect with you during worship. As I prepare to meet with my church family, I clear my mind of all the week’s worries – like the bills, the appointments, and the to-do list that’s already started to form in my mind. I lay it all at the foot of your cross. Right here and now, I choose to focus on you. I want to truly connect with you, and be inspired with awe as I do so.

Prevent me from simply going through the motions in church, but instead, to sincerely seek you. Give me a clear mind and an open heart when I worship. Let me see the people around me – my brothers and sisters in Christ – as you see them, so I can really love them. As I dedicate my time to you today after church, help me to find true rest for my soul. That’s only possible by connecting with you, not just by stopping my work. Thank you for helping me connect with you today in ways that renew me spiritually, mentally, and physically, so I’m ready to move forward with confidence into the new work week that starts tomorrow. I’m glad to have the gift of this day with you. I love you, God. Amen.

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“The steadfast love of the Lᴏʀᴅ never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:22-23

Dear God, here I am at the start of a new work week. The demands of my responsibilities are pressing in, and I’m already feeling stressed by the weight of the week’s tasks and the challenges I know are coming. I need a fresh perspective right now. Please give me new mercies to be able to face whatever this Monday brings with a spirit of rejoicing. Please remind me that I can rely on you to faithfully send me whatever kind of mercy I need to deal with the kind of challenges you know I’ll face this week, so I can rejoice in that reality. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that I can ask your Holy Spirit to guide and empower me.

Give me the wisdom I need for the difficult conversations and decisions I face. Help me to see that all of my work this week – both paid work and volunteer work – is not a burden, but an important way to contribute to the world in the ways you’re calling me to do so. Please also remind me that you will help me with every work task I have, and that my worth isn’t based on my job performance, but on my secure place as one of your beloved children. Thank you for the privilege of a job to do and people to serve. Help me to work with gladness because I know my work matters, and you’re right here with me, helping me as I work. Amen.

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear God, the daily grind of my responsibilities is already starting to stress me. Please help me give the steady, sustained effort that all my responsibilities require. It’s easy to let discouragement creep into my mind. Send me fresh encouragement to help me persevere. Help me to find reasons to rejoice and be glad even in the boring or frustrating parts of my day. Open my eyes to the countless blessings that I can take for granted, such as the food I have to eat, the relationships with my family and friends, and the ability and opportunity to do everything I’m doing today.

Help me develop an attitude of gratitude that I can tap into in all circumstances. When a challenge comes up, stop me from reacting with stress, and help me to instead respond with the wisdom that comes from your Holy Spirit. Just as you’re encouraging me, help me to encourage the people in my life today – my family, friends, coworkers, and everyone else I meet. Help me shine the light you’ve given me into their lives in ways that point them to the hope that they can always find in you. I rejoice that you’re with us all in every situation we face, loving us and available to help us. Amen.

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“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30

Dear God, in the middle of this week, my life is hectic, and I’m tired. I need renewal and revival from you. Please send me a fresh dose of energy to rejuvenate me in every way – spiritually, mentally, and physically. Thank you for being my ultimate source of joy. I rejoice that I can let go of my burdens and trust you to help me with every single situation that is burdening me. Show me all the places in my life where I’ve tried to carry burdens that you never intended for me to carry alone. God, I give you all of that and trust you to help me with it all.

Please send me the fresh inspiration and motivation I need to move forward without worrying about my concerns, but rely on your strength to help me deal with them well. I want to receive and fully experience the refreshing joy that comes from knowing you. Thank you for renewing my energy and giving me real hope and help whenever I need it. I rejoice because you’re always here for me. Amen.

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“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

Dear God, now that the end of the week is in sight, I pray that you would give me the momentum I need to keep fulfilling your purposes for me this week. Protect me from the temptation to slack off or let my standards drop because I’m tired. Instead, fill me with a holy excitement that energizes me to complete every task with a sense of purpose. I want to rejoice in all the work you have given me to do – both professionally and personally.

Help me to discern your guidance for everything I say and do, so I can fulfill all your good purposes today and in the future. As I look ahead, help me to remember that I can find joy in my relationship with you and let that joy give me the momentum I need to serve you well throughout the rest of my life. Thank you, God. Amen.

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“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:17

Dear God, today I want to reflect on your constant goodness to me throughout this week. As I wrap up my work week today, I’m glad when I think about the many blessings you’ve poured into my life lately. Help me to not just rush into the weekend, but to take a break to look back over the week and notice many of the ways you provided for me, protected me, encouraged me, and guided me. Where I failed, thank you for your forgiveness. Where I succeeded, thank you for helping me do so. Let my gratitude for your generosity inspire me to be generous with the people in my life today.

Show me how to give them the kindness, encouragement, and support they need from me. Help me be a blessing to them and inspire them through the joy they see in my life because of my relationship with you. I rejoice that I can always count on you to give me whatever I need, plus many more blessings. Thank you for your great love for me. I love you, God. Amen. 

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“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.” – Job 37:14

Dear God, thank you for the gift of this Saturday, which is a valuable space between the week’s work and the Sunday worship to simply enjoy the life you’ve given me. It’s easy to fill this day with so many activities that I’m too busy to notice the wonder of your work around me today. Please help me slow down and pay close attention to everything you want me to discover today.

Help me to rejoice in the wonderful experiences I have today – from enjoying time outside in your creation, to enjoying your love flowing through my relationships with family and friends. Give me the wisdom to set aside the stress of the past week and the worries of the week to come, and to trust that you will continue to work in wonderful ways that will make me glad and grateful. I rejoice that you are always doing something wonderful in our world! Thank you, God. Amen.

In conclusion, developing a habit of rejoicing and being glad on all days of the week is important because it gives you a fresh perspective so you can see how God is at work in your life every single day. When you commit to praying through the week – in all the circumstances you face – you welcome God’s power into every day. God is always with you, and that’s something to celebrate. Beyond that, you’ll experience God’s blessings as he answers your prayers, and that will give you more reasons to rejoice and be glad!

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