Delight Me Lord

                   …Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
John 16:22 NIV

Does life leave you feeling like you need a pick-me-up? Something delightful? Something that puts a smile on your face despite the circumstances you are dealing with in life right now?

I’ve tried retail therapy and chocolate. Ice cream soothes me too. But knowing I’ll be being broke and overweight doesn’t really delight my soul.

Last week one of our Peace after Divorce Workshop (Christian divorce support group) facilitators shared her amazing strategy. Why had I never thought of this before? It’s so simple.

Lord, delight me today,” she said.

Four simple words–so powerful, so succinct, so wise. It’s her prayer when she needs to find a lighter place in her soul…

Lord delight me today.”

And why wouldn’t the God who loves you so much be willing to answer this prayer in a way that gives you delight in him?

Are you ready for his answer?  It’s my opinion that there are three keys to experiencing God’s answer when you ask the Lord to delight you:

1. Develop your relationship with God through prayer and praise.

Talking with God regularly and thanking him for all that he is and has given you puts you in relationship with him so that you are able to hear his voice and recognize his gifts.

2. Expect your delight to come in the form of those things that highlight God’s majesty and goodness.

Things that do not require his overriding the free-will of other people. Such things as an unexpected blessing; a moment of complete serenity where you feel his presence; the kindness of another; the beauty of a sunset; the smile of a child; an unexpected butterfly; ducklings crossing the road in waddling wonder.

3. Have eyes to see and ears to hear.

The troubles of this world don’t evaporate because you pray this prayer. Yet, God does make his presence known when you have eyes to see and ears to hear. Tune in and look for the delightful answer to your prayer.

So, thank you Cathy for telling us that when you pray, “Lord delight me today,” he always does.

May the Lord delight you too–just ask and have eyes and ears ready.

NOTE:  Cathy volunteers as our Prayer Team Leader.  We are happy to pray for you if you tell us your prayer needs.

About the Author:

Renee Smith Ettline, founder of After Divorce Ministries, LLC is also author of divorce recovery books and the Peace after Divorce group curriculum for churches.