Everyday Prayers for Joy: A 30-Day Devotional & Reflective Journal for Women

by Gina Smith, Brooke McGlothlin (Foreword)

What is joy? We can receive fleeting moments of it when we watch sunlight break through the clouds, or see a little child laugh as he blows apart the fluff of a spent dandelion. But there is only one source of true, lasting joy—and that’s our Savior, Jesus.

During a season of unknowns, God opened His Word to author Gina L. Smith and taught her His definition of joy so that she could experience it deep in her heart. He helped her realize that she had been finding joy in His blessings, rather than in Him, the source of those blessings. And she learned how to “count it all joy” (James 1:2) come what may.

Everyday Prayers for Joy is a thirty-day journey through God’s Word that will help you discover the joy that God wants to share with you. He is with you always and can work out all things for good. Fill yourself to overflowing with God’s joy! 

144 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2022

About the author

Gina Smith is an American entrepreneur, author, and journalist who co-wrote Steve Wozniak's 2006 autobiography iWoz. In 2001, Smith was named one of the 100 most influential people in technology by Upside magazine.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Everyday Prayers for Joy by Gina L. Smith is a thirty day devotional with devotions to help you find joy in your life through trusting God. Each day gives you scripture to read plus verses of the day to go with the devotion.

The Devotions are pretty short, with a paragraph at the end to help think about what you have read. There are extra verses for further study and then a prayer. After this, it has space where you can write down your thoughts, prayer, praise, to-do list, and prayer list. And finally, a couple of questions to reflect on what you have read.I think this is a wonderful devotional, but it can be extended to a Bible study. There’s a lot in each chapter, probably enough to break it down into five days and use it as a weekly Bible study. Either way you use it; you can’t go wrong.

I enjoyed just reading through it as well. Smith gives a lot of thoughts and tips, plus verses on joy. The Bible says to count it all joy in trials, but that’s not always easy. What I like about this book is that it give readers verses such as this and explains them in such easy ways, most of the time with experiences the author has faced herself. I really like this book and these devotions. I plan to keep it and use them in my daily life. I giving this one Five Stars!

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review; the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Elizabeth Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gina L. Smith provides 30 days' worth of inspiration for finding joy through God in Everyday Prayers for Joy. This devotional is a great way to reflect and understand the JOY from the Lord. The joy is more than a feeling; but is there regardless of a feeling - even when things aren't easy. I love that the author doesn't pretend to be perfect but is honest, perfectly imperfect and redeemed by grace. I enjoyed reading these deeply personal devotional revelations packed with biblical truth and practical ways to live out joy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own

[Heather Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t need more joy in their life? Not fleeting happiness that relies on circumstances to provide the feeling. Real joy that remains no matter the situation.

Everyday Prayers for Joy does a great job of reminding readers to look beyond the circumstances to see God’s love and faithfulness to us no matter what we’re going through.

I suggest purchasing the book in paperback due to the journaling nature of each day’s devotion. Of course, you could have a separate notebook to take advantage of that feature if you’re reading an ebook. I enjoyed the devotions and scriptures.

Before the first devotion there is a section explaining the think, pray, praise concept the author would like readers to use in personalizing the experience. At the end of each devotion are journaling areas divided into think, pray, praise, to do, and prayer list.

Not having experience with this system, I found myself having to flip back to the instructions to know exactly what the author wanted in each section until I got used to it. I would also have liked a bit of journaling space after the questions for deeper reflection.

Overall, I enjoyed this devotional. And I give it four stars. I received an ARC of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions and review are my own.

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wouldn’t it be nice to be joyful everyday? Just think how we could spread joy to others if we practiced it ourselves? It is hard to find joy when you are going through a difficult time in your life. The scripture says, “Count it all joy…” even when we are going through trials. In this devotional the author gives us insight into how to be joyful by praying and asking God to help us as we struggle.

I like how the book is set up with a reading from one of the books of the Bible. There you can explore what the topic of the chapter is and see what God says about it. The author includes stories we can relate to and ends each chapter with questions and a prayer. I enjoyed going through the book and soaking up the wisdom of what God says about joy. Each day brings new revelation as you do the devotional. I love that there are extra scriptures to study at the end of each chapter. The author has done a good job of covering a subject we all need to have more of.

“Ge will never grow tired of hearing from you and He wants you to pour out your heart to Him.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Mary Hake · Rating 5 out of 5]

An encouraging book to give you a month of encouraging devotionals—or you could read one a week and focus on that theme for seven days. In whatever way you choose to dig into these thirty subjects related to joy, it should bless your life. She begins the book with an explanation of how to use it and why she presented the material as she did. Each of the day’s titles begin with “Joy Found in” and continues with place you may expect or never think you might find joy, except for Day 5: “The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength,” which could have been changed to fit the pattern. The Bible verses and prayers shared add depth to the devotional messages. The author shares from her own life and also includes a list of verses for further study than gives space to write your own responses about what you think, pray, praise, and plan to do, concluding with questions for deeper reflection. I could see this as a book to go through more than once, perhaps annually. It would also make a good group Bible study with plenty of food for discussion. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyday Prayers for Joy: A 30-Day Devotional Reflective Journal for Women is a great way to start a day. It is full of faith that made me feel like I can face the day each morning. Every day includes scripture to read, reflections of the scripture, “Something to Think About” section, more verses for study or prayer, “Verses of the Day” and Prayer. It, also, has lines for readers to write their own thoughts, prayer, praise, to do prayer list and “Questions for Deeper Reflection”. This is a devotional that I have been needing for some time. I loved it and plan on going through it again and again.

I am giving Everyday Prayers for Joy: A 30-Day Devotional Reflective Journal for Women a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who are looking for a daily devotional that will inspire them every day.

I received a digital copy of Everyday Prayers for Joy: A 30-Day Devotional Reflective Journal for Women from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everyday Prayers for Joy" by Gina L. Smith is a 30-day devotional and journal about joy. There is Scriptures references about joy and the author explains then fully and there is a section each day entitled "Something To Think About" and then there is a list of additional verses for study or prayer. The author states that we need to pray the scriptures in our prayer. ( I love this because my pastor has preached about praying the Scriptures a couple of times.) There are blank lines, to write about what you think about the devotion, to write a prayer, to write praises down, to write your to do list for the day, and your prayer list and then there are questions for deeper reflection.
I am going to use this devotional and really study because I need to find joy in my season of life.

I recommend this book if you like me need to really find lasting joy even in the midst of sorrows and not so joyful events.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.
About the Author

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to see the Joy in all that is around me, but I know so many find it difficult to have Joy, especially in our current events. I have had many times lately when it has been difficult to be Joyful.

Everyday Prayers for Joy by Gina L. Smith is a 30 Day Devotional about having Joy. Devotionals are a must have in my life and I use them daily. I found this Devotional to be very encouraging. I LOVE the layout of the book. Each day has a Scripture about Joy, a reflection/story that coincides with the Scripture, a section where you reflect more on the Scripture for the day, Prayer for the day and a journaling section where you can write your thoughts about the days readings. I really enjoyed the personal stories from the Author. I really feel the topic of this Devotional is really needed for so many! I HIGHLY recommend this for anyone looking for a new Devotional! FANTASTIC and Inspiring!

[Heather Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year my goal is to find joy in everyday life. It seems like an easy task until unexpected things come your way. The enemy tries to use these things to steal our joy and take our eyes off of the Joy Giver. This book came at the perfect time to help me meet my goal for the year.

The book consists of 30 days to focus on joy. Each day is broken down into a scripture, a focus on the scripture, and a section of journaling to help reflect on the day’s reading. The entire day worth is covered in additional scripture references to dig deeper, which I absolutely loved! The book is well written and designed to bring others closer to God on the journey of joy in their lives. I enjoyed this book and am eager to read her other book about Grace.

I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Ashley Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely wonderful devotional book. The author focuses on Joy (obvious by the title I know) and how much better would life be if we were joyful and spreading that joy every day instead of in little bursts when life is happy?! I loved the scriptures paired with the stories and just the feeling I got from reading through the book.

Finding joy in the good times is usually easy but finding it in the bad is tough and this book gives you the tools to help. It is a book I will gladly share with my family and friends and I think really anyone would benefit from reading it because who doesn't need joy in their life? Wonderful book.

5/5

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

How hard is it for you to find Joy right now? The world is full of chaos, anger, hurt and bitterness. Has your world changed a lot in the last 2 years? Everyday Prayers for Joy is a devotion that is written by Gina L. Smith. This devotion is a good blend of personal experience and Biblical Scripture to back up her points.

If you are feeling like you have lost your job, this is the devotion for you. It's easy to read, easy to unpack and understand. I could see this being used in a women's small group study. Jesus knows that we may have lost our joy - and this book shows us how to find it again. I love how the topics are broken up.

This book is 30 days on how to find that Joy that we may be missing. It's well written and has great Biblical backings. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding joy often proves to be a challenge. Gina L. Smith provides 30 days’ worth of inspiration for finding joy through God in Everyday Prayers for Joy. By either reading one devotion a day for 30 days or reading one devotion a week for 30 weeks, you can choose how you want to dive into the devotional.

This book provides devotions containing a Scripture passage to read, reflections regarding that passage, additional verses to examine, and encouragement to spend time thinking about those passages. Containing insights from her own life along with a prayer to conclude the day, I believe this devotional deserves reading.

So if you are looking for a devotional for women, check out this devotional for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyday Prayers for Joy is a 30-day devotional that will bless you with short reflections daily to start your day off right. There is a bit to read and room to reflect and journal. There are also bits of prayer and praise and questions to help you dig deeper.

I like devotionals. Not to replace daily Bible reading, but to help me have a short snip to study deeper daily. This was a good one and I really enjoyed it.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Amanda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved and appreciated the focus on this devotional and the chance to really focus on the Lord bringing us joy, rather than just feeling that joy that He can give when things are easy. In some ways, I have thought about that in my own life, since my family and I have had to learn to lean on the Lord through some tough losses and seasons of grief. I hadn't really thought long and hard about it though, so I loved this devotional and the chance to write out some thoughts regarding joy. This is a wonderful devotional to pick up!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great devotional and reflective journal for women. Everyday there is a scripture to read, reflections for that scripture, some thinking time and additional verses to ponder and study throughout the day. There is also a prayer to finish off the devotional each day. There really is a lot to this devotional and was very handy. I had this as a digital book but I will definitely grab this as a paperback so that you can jot some notes down.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Candy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional journal was very informative, encouraging and enlightening at just the moment I needed it! Though I would have preferred a physical copy to write in book,having a notebook/journal to write in for the daily entries and questions gave me more room to express myself. I highly recommend this book whether you're going through a rough patch or in top of the mountain, this book gives you tools for finding true Joy!

[Donnesa McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a much needed addition to the start of the day! With the focus on bringing hope, gratitude, and remembering God is always there and loves you. That you are His child and He is there to meet you where you are. Gina Smith has done a great job guiding us along this path ❤️📚❤️

[WhatRachelsReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may have taken me 2 months to finish but I loved each devotion! There are questions at the end of each chapter that were great to reflect. I was reminded to search find JOY in all sorts of ways and turned to scriptures as the main source!