These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15: 11 ESV

Many of the Amish who were praying this were on their way to farm work, cooking or carpentry asking for godly joyfulness in the middle of their everyday lives. For us, giving mercy might be just helping a neighbor mow his lawn, planting an extra row of tomatoes in our garden to give away or making up a plate of food for a friend. Jesus didn’t say we had to do miracles, in order to love others. In fact, just before He gives this command, had been washing their feet. The key to being joyful begins not by amazing them with miracles, but by serving them, just as Jesus did. So, as you begin your day, ask God to make you His tool of mercy by joyfully practicing the calling that He has given you. You will discover that there is no better way to love others than the smallest act of service done with the joy of Jesus Christ!

"Make us tools for your mercy and let us joyfully go forth and practice our calling. Amen

Considering that many of the Amish who were praying this were on their way to farm work, cooking or carpentry we get the picture of experiencing godly joyfulness in the middle of our most everyday things of life. They ask to be God’s tool of mercy as they begin to simply do ordinary acts of service. For us to give mercy might be no more complicated than helping a neighbor mow his lawn, planting an extra row of tomatoes in our garden to give away or making up a plate of food for a friend. Jesus didn’t mean we had to do miracles, in order to love others. After all, just before Jesus gives this command, He showed them His love, not by some amazing miracle but by washing their feet. The key to our being joyful begins as we love others, not by amazing them with miracles, but by serving them, just as Jesus did. So, as you begin your day, ask God to make you His tool of mercy by joyfully practicing the calling that He has given you. You will discover that there is no better way to love others than the smallest act of service done with the joy of Jesus Christ!