Prayers For Joy And Laughter

Laughter Is the Sound of Joy

“It is an amazing thing to watch people laugh, the way it sort of takes them over. Sometimes they really do struggle with it. I see that in church often enough. So I wonder what it is and where it comes from, and I wonder what it expends your system, so that you have to do it till you’re done, crying in a way, I suppose, except that laughter is much more easily spent.” –John Ames

Ames, a congregationalist minister in Gilead, Iowa, is a fictional character in Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead. The book has been reading me, an aspiring pastor, more than I have been reading it. But this quote, in conjunction with another experience, led me to consider laughter afresh.

My friend and I sat after a brimming meal at his house. His wife took their little girl upstairs for a bath.

Their giggles rang through the house, and my friend paused our conversation for what to me seemed a few brief seconds, but for him it was a few lifetimes. He was enthralled.

He was in bliss as he cherished each sweet chuckle. “I love those laughs,” he simply said, coming down from the clouds.

And that got me thinking about this gift of laughter. It had me thinking of those times our Lord must have laughed during his time on earth. Now it’s true, nowhere in Scripture do we have a specific record of Christ laughing.

It is more than reasonable to assume that the happiest person in the universe, after taking our flesh and our sorrows, untarnished by his own sin, often boiled over with the best of laughter.

Jesus Laughed

Jesus was the very embodiment of love. He was filled with God’s Spirit, who produces the fruit of joy (Galatians 5:22). I imagine that he and his disciples roared in some good times of belly-aching, room-rocking laughter in their collective joy.

The text I draw this from is John 15:12–15, in which Jesus emphasizes how he is friends with those who truly follow him. He will share his joy, which he possessed first, with them (John 17:13). Of course, it’s true to say that this joy relates to the peace we have with God through Christ.

But more practically, think of the many implications, and manifestations, of such a pledge for those he was immediately speaking to. Is there true friendship without sharing laughter together? Without enjoying the gift of each other? If all things were made through and for Christ, that must include the joys of relationships, of friendships — of happiness shared in laughter!

These joys are such a significant part of the human experience that it would be odd, perhaps even sinful, for the Lord, who “put on our feelings along with our flesh” as John Calvin says, to have passed over them. Therefore, the joy of Christ — and thus our joy — is serious business with eternal costs.

Laughter Is Serious Business

So it’s right and useful to consider the ways his joy was expressed while among us. Perhaps because the gospel writers knew Jesus’s laughing would be so obvious a reality they needn’t bother mentioning it.

Or perhaps their eyes were so set on Calvary that they dare not make the gospel vignettes seem trite.

But that they did not record it all, John makes plain in striking terms: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book” (John 20:30).

Much has been made of the fact that Jesus is never said to have smiled or laughed. Linked to the description of the Servant as ‘a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ it has furnished a basis for the idea that Jesus’ life was unremittingly joyless and stressful.

But this is a serious over-simplification. Apart from all else, a joyless life would have been a sinful life. Would Jesus have been guilty of the anxiety he forbade in others (Mt.

6:25)? Would he have fallen short of Paul’s attainment as one who had learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil. 4:11)? Or of the precept to ‘rejoice always’ (Phil. 4:4)? Could he have been filled with the Spirit and yet not have know the Spirit’s joy (Gal.

5:22)? Could he have given rest and relief to others (Mt. 11:28) while remaining depressed and disconsolate himself? . . .

There can be little doubt that, apart from the brief (although indescribably intense) moment of dereliction on Calvary, Jesus was serene, contented, and happy.

He rejoiced, doubtless, in the being of his Father, meditating on him as an object of wonder and admiration; in his Father’s love, approbation and constant help and presence; in the beauties and glories of his Father’s creation; in doing his Father’s will, promoting his glory and saving his people; in the friendship, company and conversation of those the Father had given to be with him; and in anticipating his return to the glory he had with the Father ‘before the world began’ (Jn. 17:5). Such joy was an indispensable element in the psychology of his obedience. He served not as a slave but as a son. (The Person of Christ, 171)

Laughter is one way to see happiness and hear it; it’s happiness made visible and audible. It’s the sound of joy. It’s not joy’s only sound; there is joy in sorrow, in tears, underneath sobs, and in silence. And there is laughter — this happy treasure — to cherish as a gift from God.

Here, then, is a poem called “Beats,” on the holy laughter of Christ:

Mama & daughter giggle in the suds, Baby girl & sister wriggle crackin’ up, Sissy & bride squealin’ with white wine. Ladies straight thunderin’, rollin’ joyous tides! Bathing in their bright rivers roaring from their dam-bustin’ hearts, the founts of their baptizing, glad refrain, Sarah’s thankful son adores the bellows: the resetting glees these gals hurricane. I didn’t know folks could hear it: chords of happiness’ hootin’ ring. But ah, now I see it — that hearing laughter is hearing happiness: guffawing hymns that smiles sing. M’dearies, please howl more your melodies, your chortlin’, cheered cacophonies, For your sonance croons venerating: That Jesus goofed and laughed, joked and jabbed; that God composed these beats. And they are good.

Источник: //www.desiringgod.org/articles/laughter-is-the-sound-of-joy

Prayers of Joy

Prayers of Joy,

Expressions of Jubilance,

and

Silly Stuff

~

Welcome to all those who feel silly happy and

those who want to feel silly happy!

~

My Lord,

You are my exceeding joy!

Psalm 43:4

Celebrating the Wonders of God

We begin with a prayer

Celebrating

The Wonders of God.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for you are an Amazing Artist.
You are the Master Painter of our World.

From your palette, you brushed the world with splashes of forest green, sky blue, and sunny yellow.

You created lush jungles of jade and arid deserts of gold.

You formed majestic mountains, and then you took scoops of brilliant white snow and topped their peaks.

You shaped multi-layered canyons and adorned them with copper-colored hues.

Your exquisite creation is vibrant and full of variety.

Joy and thankfulness rise in me as I meditate on the beauty of your world.

Amen

Copyright © 2013 Beth Mc Lendon of Inspirational-Prayers.com

Celebrating Silly

It is good to 

Giggle

and be

JOYFUL

Overheard Girl Talk:

“Exercise? The only reason

I came with you this morning

was because I thought

you said we were going to,

'Accessorize!'”

Overheard comment:

Do you want to know how I deal with bumper to bumpertraffic?

I open my glove compartment and get out my bubbles.

Then I lowermy window and blow a few bubbles out my window.

How can I stay upset whilesilly bubbles are blowing across the highway?

William Shakespeare Humor

Humor Billy Shakespeare!

Beth McLendon's son is very witty:

My son was studying William Shakespeare in school.

One day he came to me and said,

Mom, I can sum up all of William Shakespeare's

plays into one: 

Much Ado About Nothing!

~

William Shakespeare is famous for saying:

“To thine own self be true.”

–

That is a nice saying,

but I think his wife would prefer

something a little different.

I'll explain below…

After telling my friend, Linda, about a

Spectacular Shoe Shopping Spree that I had  –

I received a birthday card from Linda.

William Shakespeare was on the front, and inside it said:

To thine own self give shoes.

What great advice!

Do I hear an “amen” from the women?

Question:

What shoe is the most fun shoe?

Answer:

Flip flops

They are the slap-happy shoes !

From Walking in the Spirit by Patsy Clairmont

Beth says,

“I to pitter, patter, and putter in my flip flops!”

O God, in mercy bless us;
let your face beam with joy as you look down at us.

Psalm 67:1 TLB

~

How the nations will be singing for joy
because you are their King.

Psalm 67:4 TLB

Celebrating Childhood

Jesus loves the little children!

Prayers of Joy presents a prayer to celebrate childhood.

Dear Lord,

You are amazing.

You varied the trunks of trees to become footholds for little lads.

You made strong tree branches that reach out to support sturdy swings.

You think ahead and provide all we need.

You are our provider of everything.

Amen

Copyright 2005 Beth McLendon of Inspirational-Prayers.com

Celebrating Nature

Caught any Lightning Bugs lately?

It sure is fun to catch lightning bugs and

put them in a jar with small holes for air.

Then set them free after an hour or two.

_

Would you to read our

Delightful Devotion about

Lightning Bugs?

___

What did you used to do as a child

that might still be kinda fun?

~

Water pistols anyone?

~

Are you brave enough to be silly?

~

Hey, if you're married,why not go out and buy an ice cream cone…..and share it!-

Then  – Take a walk around your neighborhood, and enjoy the amazing world God made, and choose to look so in-love that you make everyone who sees you

Envious!!

__

Enjoy whatever God has given you!

__

Here are folks who had a Beary Friendly Day.

Need more help around the house?

Consider this!

Are you getting motivated to lift up your own

prayers of joy

to your fun-loving Heavenly Father?

–

God created fun

and

God created laughter.

Celebrating Truth

Have a Problem?

Sometimes you just need a manual.

In 2016, I suggest we need an

e-manual.

~ ~

We have e-books.

We have e-commerce.

But what we really need is an

Emmanuel!

Have you ever searched for a manual

to help you fix  a problem?

Even before looking for a manual, the first place

we should look is to

Emmanuel

Jesus is called “Emmanuel” which means “God with us.”

My Lord,

In your presence is fullness of joy!

Psalm 16:11  NKJV

Celebrating Joy

Let your joy show for all the world to see!

–

Shouts of Joy and Victory resound in the tents of the Righteous of the Lord.

Psalm 118:15 NIV

–

Celebrate the joy in your heart with little ones.

If you are a parent or grandparent, consider teaching your little ones

a silly, fun Bible song –  …..

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart.

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.

Down in my heart to stay.

I've got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart.

I've got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart.

Where?

Down in my heart to stay.

And I'm so happy. So very happy, happy, happy.

I have the love of Jesus in my heart, down in my heart.

And I'm so happy. So very happy, happy, happy.

I have the love of Jesus in my heart.

If you have forgotten how to have fun and be joyful,

consider allowing yourself to be a kid again.

There are many reasons why God tells us to come to him
as little children.

–

If you need help having fun,

watch kids.

They will teach you!

Consider signing up to work with the little kids at church!

To see a list of all our prayers, go to: Prayers For All Occasions

Thank you for visiting our Prayers of Joy page.

Jump to the top of Prayers of Joy

Источник: //www.inspirational-prayers.com/prayers-of-joy.html

Bible Verses About Joy, Laughter

Home>Benefits Of Laughter>Bible Verses About Joy, Laughter

We believe the following 22 Bible verses about joy have the power to turn your attitude around.

In the words of American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr “Humor is a prelude to faith and laughter is the beginning of prayer.” St. Thomas Aquinas himself said “It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.“

report this ad

Thank you to pastor Laura Gentry for compiling the following list of Bible verses about joy (and laughter!)

14 Bible Verses about Joy in the Old Testament

The ancient Psalms are filled with expressions of human emotions, some of which are great joy. Many personify the earth to imply that nature itself rejoices. So when we laugh, we are laughing along with the earth!

1. “A merry heart doeth good a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22
2. “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” – Psaml 47:1
3. “God has a smile on His face.” — Psalm 42:5
4. “God, who sits in Heaven, laughs!” — Psalm 2:4
5. “He that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” — Proverbs 15:15
6. “I commend mirth.” — Ecclesiastes 8:15
7. “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.” — Jeremiah 31:13
8. “Let the shield exult and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” — Psalm 96:12
9. “Let your heart be merry.” — Judges 19:6
10. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break into joyous song and sing praises.” — Psalm 98:4
11. “The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves wiht joy; The meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.” — Psalm 65:12-13
12. “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them.” — Psalm 126:2
13. “You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” — Psaml 30:11
14. “You shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and hills before you shall burst into song, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” — Isaiah 55:12

8 Bible Verses About Joy in the New Testament

Notice that the verses about Christ and his coming speak emphatically of joy. This is why many of the Christmas carols have the word “joy” in them: Christ brings joy!

1. “Although you have not seen Jesus, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.” — Peter 1:8
2. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh!” — Luke 6:21
3. “But in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.” — Peter 4:13
4. “I have said these things to you,” Jesus said to his disciples, “so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” — John 15:11
5. “The angel said to Mary: You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at the birth of your son.” — Luke 1:14
6. “The angels said to the shepherds: Do not be afraid, for see – I am bringing good news of great joy for all the people.” — Luke 2:10
7. “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3
8. “When the wise men saw that the star had stopped over the place where the christ child lay, they were overwhelmed with joy.” — Matthew 2:10

Holy Laughter

A few churches in the USA use laughter for inner healing, and it works for them. Read more.

Here is what Rev. John and Pattie Chappell (www.laughcry.org) recommend you do: “When you are feeling discouraged or have hurts that need healing, close your eyes, force yourself to raise your head, and begin praising the Lord in tongues or English for a minute or two.

Then begin saying ‘Hee, hee, ha, ha, ho, ho!’ and repeat it several times. If you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, this will usually release a flow of holy laughter. If that doesn’t work, try saying, ‘Ho, ha, hee, hee’ or ‘ho, ho, hee, hee, ha, ha! This is not being silly.

To the natural mind, this “method” is so absurd, so ridiculous, but it will usually produce holy laughter in anyone. God’s methods bear fruit.”

Laughter Sunday

Recently there has been a liturgical reclamation of what is known as “Laughter Sunday,” “Holy Humor Sunday” or “Lighten Up Sunday”. It is sometimes observed on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is called “Laetare Sunday,” which comes from the first word of the traditional collect for the day – Rejoice.

It is also sometimes observed during Eastertide. Early Orthodox churches gathered on the Monday after Easter to tell stories, jokes and anecdotes.

To this day in Slavic regions Christians gather the day after Easter for folk dancing and feasting in the churchyard. This was a time of celebrating the big joke that God pulled on Satan.

It is known as Bright Monday, White Monday, and Emmaus Day in various countries. It is also called it ̃Risus Paschalis” – God’s Joke, the Easter Laugh.

Whenever “Laugher Sunday” is celebrated, and by whatever name, it is characterized by joking around, singing, dancing, and merry-making. And it reminds participants that God is a God of laughter as well as of sorrow – much as God is Lord of the valleys as well as the mountain tops (Genesis 21:1-6).

Read more.
How to open Laughter Sunday in your church.

Hymn: “Give to Us Laughter” Words: Walter Farquharson

Tune: Slane (Be Thou My Vision)

1. Give to us laughter, O Source of our life. Laughter can banish so much of our strife! Laughter and love give us wholeness and health. Laughter and love are the coin of true wealth.

3. Even in sorrow and hours of grief, laughter with tears brings us healing relief! God, give us laughter, and God, give us peace, joy of your promise among us increase.

What are your favorite Bible verses about joy? Are there more Bible verses on joy that you ? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below!

report this ad

report this ad More quotes about laughterreport this ad

Источник: //www.laughteronlineuniversity.com/bible-verses-about-joy/