(Click here to read the introduction to "A Culture of Prayer")
From Cynicism to Joy
Search your own heart as you pray for God to awaken in you and in the greater Jubilee community a spirit of joy. What does joy look like for you? What does cynicism look like for you?
Below are some quotes and verses that you can meditate on.
Psalm 51:12 | Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 118:4 | The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
John 16:24 | Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,and your joy will be complete.
Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
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.
James 1:2-4 | Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Every moment of each day I have the chance to choose between cynicism and joy. Every thought I have can be cynical or joyful. Every word I speak can be cynical or joyful. Every action can be cynical or joyful. Increasingly I am aware of all these possible choices, and increasingly I discover that every choice for joy in turn reveals more joy and offers more reason to make life a true celebration." -Henri Nouwen
"Cynicism is, increasingly, the dominant spirit of our age. . . . It is an influence, a tone that permeates our culture . . . . [It] is so pervasive that, at times, it feels like a presence” - Paul Miller