If we want to experience God’s joy in this life, we should pray for it every morning.
Often what happens in the morning will set the tone for the rest of the day. For example, if we start in a grumpy mood, we will likely carry that approach into everything we do.
This is why it is important to begin each day asking for the help we need from God.
Here is a prayer from St. Anselm’s Proslogion, asking for God’s joy, but at the same time knowing that it won’t be completely fulfilled until we encounter true joy in Heaven.
I pray, O God, that I may know You and love You,
so that I may rejoice in You.
And if I cannot do so fully in this life may I progress
gradually until it comes to fullness.
Let the knowledge of You grow in me here,
and there [in heaven] be made complete;
let Your love grow in me here and there be made complete,
so that here my joy may be great in hope, and there be complete in reality.
Amen!
