September 27
The Power of
Prayer for Joy
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Daily Steps
This verse is a powerful benediction—a prayer blessing—that summarizes the entire goal of the Christian life and the purpose of the Discipline of Prayer (Day 260). It shows the new believer that joy is a gift to be prayed for, sourced by God, and resulting in an abundance of hope: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace.
The peace in this principle is found in overflowing hope:
The Source is God: The prayer identifies God as the God of hope. This reaffirms that our spiritual joy (Day 270) and ultimate hope (Day 265) are rooted not in our circumstances, but in the nature of God Himself. He is the Fountain of Delights (Day 262) and the origin of our strength (Day 261).
The Condition is Trust: The blessing is conditional: as you trust in Him. This reinforces the necessity of faith (Day 254). When we consciously surrender our worries and choose to trust in God’s unfailing love (Day 218) and provision (Day 245), He freely releases His gifts of joy and peace into our hearts.
The Result is Overflow: The ultimate result of this filling is powerful: so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. This overflowing hope is the legacy of joy—it impacts others (Interceding for All People, Day 251) and provides the spiritual vitality needed for endurance. The Holy Spirit is the agent that guarantees this superabundance.
Your peace is secured by overflowing hope. Embrace this verse as your own prayer today: trust in Him so that the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, enabling you to live a life that overflows with hope for all to see.
Reflective Question
How consistently are you trusting in Him right now versus worrying about a personal challenge? What is one specific, intentional celebration (Day 264) you can commit to today to help you trust in Him so that you may be filled with all joy and peace?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my lack of trust and my susceptibility to worry. I thank You that You are the God of hope. I pray this blessing over my life: fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Secure my peace today in Your unfailing love, and let my life be a demonstration of this beautiful legacy of joy. Amen.
