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•A Prayer to Be Less Sad Today•By Anthony Valente👉 “Blessed is the one…. whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on it day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and who leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.”(Psalm 1:1-3)Are you sad today? Maybe you feel alone, and every day, you scroll through social media, seeing others living their life to the fullest, surrounded by good things and many people. You feel alone, thinking you’re the only one experiencing such sadness and emptiness. Perhaps you are sad because a close friendship is on the rocks, or your marriage just experienced a devasting hit, and you don’t know how you’re going to ever recover and move forward. Or maybe you have experienced a recent loss like the loss of a loved one, loss of a pregnancy, a job, or loss of a dream or idea of how you thought things were supposed to go.Whatever the cause may be, you feel sad today. Empty, alone, and sad, which most likely leaves you feeling hopeless and can lead to feelings of worry, which usually leads to anxiety, and so on. Often, we turn to shiny things within our reach that, at first, might satisfy us for a moment but lead us right back to the hole of sadness we started in. The greatest cure and medicine for sadness and all the feelings it may lead to is the Word of God. The Word of God seeps into dry and lonely places and fills them. The more you drink from the Word of God and even digest it, the more your soul is saturated, and the more your sadness leaves you.Today’s Scripture verse reminds us of just that. We are blessed when we delight in the Word of God and meditate on the instructions found in the Bible. It is delighting in the Word of God that will bring nourishment to our quenched and lonely places. In doing so, you will be blessed. The Greek word He used is “makarios,” which conveys both happiness and joy. You can read today’s verse another way, too, saying “happy” is the one who delights in the Lord.” Happy is the opposite of sad. You see, delighting in God’s Word, meditating on it day and night, digesting it all in, devouring it like food: this is when you can begin to turn your sadness into happiness — into being blessed! The circumstance that made you sad might not fade right away, but your heart of sadness will.Let’s pray.✝️ Dear God, Thank You for the Bible and for leaving us with the tool that keeps our hearts focused on You. Lord, we are sad. We are sad for so many reasons in life right now, and we are feeling hopeless about the circumstances that we are facing. Thank You for today’s scripture, which reminds us that the Word of God can turn our hearts of sadness into hearts of blessings and happiness. Remind us every time we feel moments of sadness to pick up Your Word and spend time devouring it until it sinks deep in our hearts and becomes a part of who we are. We know that what we are going through and the feelings of sadness we are feeling are only temporary, and in due time, fruit will yield from us delighting in You and Your Word. Forgive us for turning to things that don’t satisfy us. We trust You even if our circumstances don’t change. Thank You for Your blessings and the happiness we can experience with You in the meantime. We love You, Lord.In Jesus’ name, we pray, AMEN 🙏 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”(Deuteronomy 31:6)Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!(Psalm 37:7)Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.(Isaiah 41:10)He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”(Revelation 21:4)Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5)Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.(1 Peter 5:7)For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.(Jeremiah 29:11)No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.(1 Corinthians 10:13)Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.(Proverbs 3:5-6)Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.(Matthew 11:28)But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.(Matthew 6:33)Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.(Romans 12:12)Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?” She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Sir, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.” Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!” Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.(John 20:15-18)(pic verse)But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.(Luke 5:16)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld