PRAYER

“I SPENT MUCH OF THE DAY ALONE, Lord, in quiet, reflecting upon this and that. And then in that moment of quietude, of deep prayer, I erupted with joy. 

This wasn’t ordinary joy—this was the grace of joy. I felt joyous for no particular reason. Not because something happened or because I had just received good news. The grace of joy felt as if I had suddenly been sprayed with the most delicate, tranquilizing, uplifting fragrance that had the power to make my body feel weightless. 

It was utterly blissful. I did not want the sensation to end. I wanted to send this fragrance to everyone. And then it occurred to me in the midst of this gift of grace that I had never, ever instructed a person to pray for the grace of joy. Not once. 

It never occurred to me to pray for joy or to even think about such a prayer. But in the midst of that wonder, and now as I dwell in the reality of that grace, I realize, What was I thinking? 

Why would we not pray for Joy, especially when we are in despair or going through difficulties? Maybe other people like me have never thought of praying for the grace of joy. But if ever a grace was needed, Lord, it is joy.”

Excerpt From

Intimate Conversations with the Divine

Caroline Myss

“The grace of Joy blends with hope. It reminds you that you will make it through even the darkest passage, that life always renews itself. You may think you won’t make it through. You may not even want to survive at first. But after a while, something will happen, usually something small. And it will bring Joy to your heart, if only for a second. Yet, it signals that the grace of Joy is once again active in your life.”

Excerpt From

Intimate Conversations with the Divine

Caroline Myss