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Prayer for Happiness


Happiness Prayer Blessing with Sunflowers

Jesus in his teaching often used the word "blessed", for example, "Blessed are the peacemakers" and "Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed" John 20:29, WEB). The word in the Greek new testament for "Blessed" is makarios which means blissful and happy. It also implies an inner state of happiness that is not the product of external circumstances. Imagine for a moment you are on the top of a mountain, and beneath you is a beautiful panoramic view. The contentment and peace that you find there can not be undermined by events that are happening hundreds or thousands of miles away. So it is with the inner contentment that Christ offers. It is a "ring fenced" inner peace that can not be robbed or stolen. A believer in Christ is not "blessed" in this way because of external factors (e.g. a new car or TV) but because their inner life is in union with God. Here, Christ dwells in their heart by faith, and they are content regardless of circumstances, for the joy of the Lord is their strength.

As you pray to receive this joy in your life, you may also like to meditate on some of the bible verses about happiness at the bottom of this page. Here you'll also find some Celtic blessings and a famous prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson. If you find these prayers useful, you may also want to turn them into prayers for a friend or share them with your family or loved ones.



resources on this page



The Serenity Prayer

The famous prayer for contentment in life:-
The Serenity Prayer with yellow rose in the background

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.

John Barrymore (1882-1942)




Lord, take my heart on a journey

(A prayer for happiness and joy)


Lord, take my heart on a journey,
Into your goodness and grace.
Where I walk on grass soft with forgiveness
And wait by the everlasting lake.

Lord, take my mind to a new place
Filled with the promise of life.
Where I rest with great dreams of your kingdom
And wake with a new joy inside.

Lord, take my soul to adventure
May I find greater freedom in you.
Where I run with great vision and insight
And trust that my dreams are from you.

Lord, take me into your promise
Where eternity awaits at the door.
And I find I’m renewed, redeemed and restored
Oh Jesus, I’m alive now for you!


a prayer for happiness from www.lords-prayer-words.com)


Traditional Irish Blessing


May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.


Ancient Irish Blessing

A prayer for providence and joy, suitable for sending to a friend or loved one:-

Irish Blessing

Celtic Blessing
(An ancient prayer for happiness and joy)

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.


The Happiness Prayer
Grant to us, O Lord, the royalty of inward happiness, and the serenity which comes from living close to thee. Daily renew in us the sense of joy, and let the eternal spirit of the Father dwell in our souls and bodies, filling every corner of our hearts with light and grace; so that, bearing about with us the infection of good courage, we may be diffusers of life, and may meet all ills and cross accidents with gallant and high-hearted happiness, giving thee thanks always for all things.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1894)





Bible verses about happiness, joy & blessings

Featured below are some popular references in the scriptures to happiness and joy. It's possible to use these as a starting point for prayer and meditation.

The Psalmist's prayer for joy:-

But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

Psalm 68:3, (NIV)


The benefit of a cheerful heart

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:13, (NLT)


The joy of the Lord is your strength

Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10, (NHEB)