Craig Clouston

Laughter-Filled Prayer

A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22

This group was a sampling of the community: pastors and their wives, church members from several different denominations, laymen and women alike. And everyone was welcome.
This group believed that corporate prayer with likeminded people was more important to their community than their inconsequential doctrinal differences. A testament to their commitment was that they had been meeting together for over eight years.
But there was something even more compelling at work that drew them together each Tuesday at noon; they loved each other with the love of the Father, and they laughed a lot, and not just the occasional chuckle or smile. These people knew how to laugh together. They had grown to love each other so deeply that it showed in the way they picked on one another. No one was exempt from spending time in the hot seat. And none of them seemed to mind.
They had learned to share their lives, the victories and defeats. This was a close-knit group. And the more they laughed, the more they loved. The more they loved, the closer they got. They spent time praising the Lord and lifting the needs of the community before the throne. They were dead serious when it came to what they felt God had called them to. But they were never far from the laughter.
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It’s not a sin to laugh, even during prayer. Today’s text directs us to have a cheerful heart. It’s hard to imagine being any cheerier than when we’re laughing. God loves to hear us laugh. He is not affronted by, nor does He disapprove of, laughter-filled prayer.
When we come before the throne, we are to come in reverence. My dictionary defines reverence this way: “A feeling of awe and respect and often of love.” None of the three are out of line with laughter. When we laugh with our friends, it’s not an act of irreverence; it’s sharing our joy.
God wants to be our closest friend. Prayer is spending quality time with Someone we love. And although there are times to be somber as we approach His throne, God wants to share our laughter too.
Prayer
“Lord, You are the author of laughter. May you find me willing to share mine with you. Amen.”
196
Life’s Roller Coasters
June 30
Great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.
Jeremiah 32:19
“How’ve you been, Oren?” Tyrel said as he hugged his friend, eager to catch up on what had happened since they’d last seen each other.
“Good,” Oren responded. “But it’s been a little disappointing. I recently lost an opportunity to expand my business. I met with a new investor several times, and everyone seemed satisfied. They called, saying things were almost complete on their end. That was four months ago. I haven’t heard from them since.”
“I’m sorry, Oren. But don’t give up. Who knows? Maybe they’ll call today.” He tried to encourage his friend with a metaphor. “It sounds as if you’ve been on a roller coaster ride. They’re thrilling and frustrating. But we learn a lot from taking the ride.” He continued, “Just seeing the coaster elicits a thrill! Kinda like you, looking forward to growing the business. The first big hill is scary, but anticipating the drop is thrilling! The next thing we know, we’re falling at breakneck speed. We involuntarily scream and feel like we’re losing control. We get freaked out and want to jump. But that would be suicide! Oren, the hardest part of the ride is trusting the operator. God knows what’s best for your life. Just hang on and trust Him.”
“I do. But sometimes I wish the ride wasn’t so wild,” Oren said.

†

We can all identify with Oren. We’ve been on life’s roller coasters, where the rides have been some of the toughest lessons we’ve ever learned. Yet apart from these disappointments, we gain no appreciable experience, and our spiritual growth becomes stunted. Learning to lose gracefully pays dividends.
Coaster rides are difficult, frustrating, and sometimes even perilous.
But know this: God will never harm us. He wants to purpose our lives by leading us to the center of His will. Sometimes that means riding the coaster when it’s the last thing we want to do. Have faith! His Word assures us that He is trustworthy.
Would you risk a wild ride with God for His promise of great and mighty things?

Prayer

“Sometimes life scares me, Lord. I need reassurance. Take away my fear and replace it with the faith that knows You’re