Joyful Prayer

Isaiah 56:6-7 "And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to  be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant - these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.... for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." Lord, I thank you for the steadfast promises I find in your scriptures.  Thank you for the consistent reminders that you are everpresent.  You are strong, mighty, and sovereign. You will not leave us nor forsake us. You have called us, and you invite us into prayer.  You have promised that you will hear our cries, and you will answer.  You will take our mourning and from the ashes, you will create beauty. In all circumstances you call us to praise you, and in that, we find our joy.  In the quiet rain, your voice is near, and in the storms, your voice is strong.  If we quiet ourselves to listen, we can hear you.  Lord, I thank you for this day of rest, and for the gift of time to focus on you. Hear my prayers for friends and family, as I offer them up to you, for peace of mind, for protection, for direction, for health, for restoration of relationships, and for a thirst for relationship with you.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.