Welcome to the Prayers of Rest podcast.

I'm your host, Ashrida Chuchu, and this season we're praying for joy together.

So take a deep breath and quiet your heart as we become aware of God's loving presence around us and within us.

Today's passages come from two texts.

The first is Psalm 4 versus 6 to 7, and the second is Psalm 36 versus 7 to 8. Many people say, who will show us better times?

Let your face smile on us, Lord.

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God. All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.

Let's begin by reciting God's goodness. Oh God, indeed, how precious is your unfailing love.

How generous is your heart toward us.

You are the one who opens your hand and feeds the entire world. You satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Lord, your faithful love reaches to the heavens and your faithfulness to the clouds.

And God, we have seen that in our own lives. Again and again, you have provided abundantly,

not just all of our needs, not just food and shelter and safety.

But God, you have given us above and beyond anything we could have asked for or imagined.

Every good and perfect gift comes from your hand.

And we acknowledge that you are the giver of delight.

You are the giver of all that is good in the world.

And you, God, delight in providing for us.

What a good father you are, that you give good gifts to your children.

What an incredible God and Savior you are that you would delight in lavishing your favor on us.

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