Joy
Memorising Scripture with your children helps God’s Spirit bring about lasting change. Choose a verse for your children to learn. Reading it over at least once every day helps.
See also some sample prayers that you can use with your children, or for older children encourage them to use these within their own prayers.
Memory verses
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10b
But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
Psalm 5:11
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
Psalm 28:7
You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has set You above Your companions by anointing You with the oil of joy.
Psalm 45:7
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalm 47:1
Those living far away fear Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Psalm 66:1
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.
Psalm 67:4
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
psalm 68:3
But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, ‘Let God be exalted!’
psalm 70:4
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You – I whom You have redeemed.
psalm 71:23
Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
psalm 81:1
Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
psalm 90:14
For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
psalm 92:4
When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.
psalm 94:19
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
psalm 95:1
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
psalm 119:14
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
psalm 119:111
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
acts 13:52
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
philippians 4:4
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayers for kids
Dear God, I don’t feel like being joyful right now. I need Your Holy Spirit to help me. Amen.
Dear God, knowing that You protect me gives me joy (Psalm 5:11). Amen.
Dear God, thank You for loving me and sending Jesus to set me free. Amen.
Dear God, Your ways are right and they give me joy in my heart (Psalm 19:8). Amen.
Dear God, can You please send Your Holy Spirit to help me choose to be joyful right now? Amen.
Dear God, please remind me that You are always in control. Amen.