God Cares About Your Joy | Your Nightly Prayer

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love... These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." — John 15:9–11 (ESV)

Robert Hampshire

Updated May 20, 2025

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In this gentle reflection, Robert Hampshire shares how his early view of Christianity as joyless was transformed through the words of Jesus in John 15. Far from being a distant rule-giver, God delights in our joy. When we abide in His love and live in obedience to His Word, we experience the fullness of true joy—not fleeting pleasure, but lasting, soul-deep joy.

Heavenly Father, You who created us know us best. And you alone are the one who can make known to us the path of life, and in you alone are pleasures forevermore. Help me to trust your plan for my life, to seek true, lasting joy that is only found in you, and to abide in you and in your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Originally published May 20, 2025.

Robert Hampshire is a pastor, teacher, writer, and leader. He has been married to Rebecca since 2008 and has four children: Brooklyn, Bryson, Abram, and Aubrey. Robert attended North Greenville University in South Carolina for his undergraduate and Liberty University in Virginia for his Masters. He has served as a worship pastor, youth pastor, family pastor, church planter, and Pastor of Worship and Discipleship. He now serves at Calvary Baptist Church in Florence, South Carolina. He furthers his ministry through his blog site, Faithful Thinking, and YouTube channel. His life goal is to serve God and His Church by reaching the lost with the gospel, making devoted disciples, equipping and empowering others to go further in their faith and calling, and leading a culture of multiplication for the glory of God. Find out more about him here.