A Prayer for Fullness of Joy
By: Kristine Brown
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
I recently met up with two friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. It seemed like forever since we’d laughed, swapped stories, and simply enjoyed being together. The time I spent in their company gave my weary soul the boost of joy it needed.
I hadn’t realized until that day with friends how parched my spirit had become. So much despair in the world was affecting my attitude. Grief and disappointment added to the burden of hopelessness I had chosen to carry. Sure, I had plenty of reasons to be joyful. But I had forgotten to actively seek joy in my everyday life. When we forget to seek joy, weariness will gradually take over.
The psalmist wrote in Psalm 16, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Through these beautiful words, we find hope for when we need more joy in life. The joy we long for can always be found in God’s presence.
Time spent with God will replenish the joy we’ve lost. As we invite Him to lead us each day, we will discover new pleasures. Just like my much-needed date with good friends, we need to prioritize time with the Lord. So, when weariness or despair overwhelms us, the answer is to draw close to Him. Let’s invite God in, right where we are, and allow Him to restore our joy today.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for reminding me that true joy can be found by having you in my life. Forgive me for letting the struggles of this world steal my joy. I come into your presence today, ready to experience more joy.
Psalm 23:6 reminds me that “your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life…” Thank you for this promise. With your goodness and love right beside me, I can always find reasons to be joyful. Lord, as I see others who are hurting, help me reach out and share the renewed joy I’ve found in you.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
For more spiritual growth resources, check out this free digital download from today’s devotion writer Kristine Brown, 100 of God’s Promises for Your Unraveled Heart. You’ll find weekly encouragement to help you “become more than yourself through God’s Word” at her website, kristinebrown.net. Kristine is the author of the book, Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God.
Related Resource: Starting 2026 with Intention: Confidence, Diligence, and God’s Direction
As we begin a brand-new year, I want to help you slow down and listen for God’s invitation in your life. In this episode, we kick off our One Word 2026 series — a simple, prayerful way to reflect on where you’ve been and discern how God may be inviting you to grow in the year ahead.
I introduce the heart behind choosing a spiritual “one word,” not as a goal to achieve, but as a posture to receive. We explore two of the six words I’ll be offering this month — confidence and diligence — and look at how Scripture invites us to grow, not by relying on our own strength, but by trusting God’s faithfulness over time.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
