A Prayer For Happiness [That Can Change Your Life]

Looking for a prayer for happiness to change your life?

I had a different intro in mind for this article. I wanted to talk about how a prayer for happiness can profoundly change our lives when it is a prayer that is rooted in glorifying God. But then something changed.

Yesterday, I watched as the capitol of the United States of America was desecrated by a mob. I do not watch news, but yesterday I watched. Happiness was nowhere to be seen. In fact, it was almost if my screen was dripping of anger and hatred. 

The Bible is clear, there is a time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3).

The Bible is clear, there is a time for happiness and mourning (Ecclesiastes 3).

The Bible is clear, a gentle answer deflects anger (Proverbs 15:1).

The Bible is clear, brokenness crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:13).

So how can I have a peaceful life amid turmoil that is unprecedented? What does God say about happiness and how do we pray for happiness? Can we still experience biblical happiness in the vortex of a broken world?

My original introduction still applies. Our prayer for happiness must be rooted in glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is then and only then when our happiness can flourish when the world is at war. 

What does God say about Happiness?

God says plenty about happiness, but the happiness He talks about is rooted in delighting ourselves in the Lord and putting others needs ahead of our own.

Sounds a little bit radical doesn’t it?

Especially amid a culture that tends to focus on bettering oneself.  Keep your mind open because we are about to discover where true happiness resides. 

Finding Happiness in the Delight of God

Does that mean if we seek God, we will get everything that we want? Not exactly. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we will increasingly find that we are satisfied with Him.

Often, as we become more satisfied in God, blessings will become a byproduct of our delight in Him. The blessings of material abundance is not the focus though. The focus is delighting in the Lord, who is the ultimate goal. 

Jesus flat out said that unless we give up our life for Him, we will lose it (Luke 17:33). Again, does not quite sound like what modern happiness qualifies it as. Yet our Creator knows what is best for us. He knows that as we lose our self-centeredness and turn to Him, we be more satisfied than ever before. 

Finding Happiness in Caring for Others

Another way to gain happiness is to put others first. Seems a little bit counter-cultural doesn’t it? Can you sense a theme here?

We live in a culture where self-glorification is applauded. Just peek at social media and you will see the evidence. 

Self-care is also glorified in our culture. Not that self-care is a bad thing. Do not hear me wrong on this! We need to take care of ourselves, but we also will find that,

“It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20:35 NIV 

In Matthew 5, Jesus speaks to the light that we should be sharing as believers. 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14 NIV

When we care and share the light of Christ Jesus with others, we will find our happiness and joy triggered because we are delighting and glorifying our Father in heaven. 

If you are seeking happiness today, try those two things. Delightful yourself in God first and put others before yourself. If your motives are correct, you will find your prayer for happiness will soon be met. 

Scriptures about Happiness and Peace 

A common question I have heard from those in the Christian community is what the difference between joy and happiness is.

I once read that it is pretty difficult to find the word ‘happiness’ in the Bible and it’s easier to find the word ‘joy’. The article I read went on to say that the bible does not care about our happiness, instead the Bible focuses on our joy. Jesus comes to bring us abundant joy!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV

So, what is the difference? Happiness is externally triggered and lasts momentarily. Joy is internal and lasts more consistently. When we look back at Psalm 37:4, I believe that joy will be a product of casting our delight upon the Lord. The great thing about joy versus happiness is that joy leads to peace. That is a key difference to see here. 

There are many people in this world blessed abundantly with worldly possessions and they lack the joy that leads to peace. Instead, they continue to seek temporary happiness. Yet there are many poor people of this world that has never ending joy and their heart is at peace. 

Our prayer for happiness should bring us to a place of joy, which leads to the surpassing peace of Christ. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 NIV

How do you Pray for Happiness?

As we have discovered, our joy is not rooted in our ability to be happy. Happiness will never come if we consistently are seeking the delights of this world. That will never bring peace. Happiness will come when we are seeking the joy of the Lord. 

Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5 NIV 

A prayer for happiness can be simple. It does not have to complicated. Follow something like this:  

1. Start by acknowledging that your happiness is rooted in the delighting yourself in God. Come to him with gratitude and thanksgiving. (Psalm 37:4)
2. Then confess that you are inadequate at bring lasting joy to yourself and you need the abundant life that Jesus offers (John 10:10)
3. Ask for God’s peace to guard your heart and mind. (Philippians 4:6-7)

An Example Prayer For Happiness

Dear God,

I come to you for a prayer of happiness.

I want to be happy, but I know that the things of this world will never truly bring me lasting joy.

I know I must delight in you and seek Jesus to find lasting happiness. I confess that sometimes I do not do it well.

Please guide me in delighting in you.

I praise you God for all that you have done in my life.

As I seek to delight more in you, will you please guard my heart and mind. Amen. 

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What is true Happiness?

True happiness will radiate out of us when we are delighting ourselves in our God and seeking foremost the abundance of Jesus.

You must ask for happiness to find it.

Will you ask your Father in heaven for to infiltrate your heart with joy today? Bring him your prayer for happiness, he will not fail you.