Good Thursday morning, my friends.
This prayer challenges me and speaks to me in a number of ways. It talks of the "dedication to be a good worker", and I struggle with that sometimes. It lifts those "seeking employment but have found one door after another closed" and I too have experienced that. It speaks of how we should "joyfully give of our resources" and I growing in that joy that. I notice also that, like The Lord's Prayer, it is a communal one - it uses the pronouns "our", "we", and "us", rather than "mine", "I", and "me". Let us pray this together today - for ourselves, each other and those around us.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce
Father, our ability to work is a blessing.
The drive and dedication to be a good worker, rather than one who does as little as possible to draw a paycheck, is pleasing to You and a testimony to others.
We are further motivated because You give us a healthy mind, strong bodies and a desire to provide for our own.
In addition we are spurred on to help others who are truly in need and joyfully give of our resources to help provide for them.
We pray for those seeking employment but have found one door after another closed. Provide for their needs, open doors for employment and grow them in ways they never imagined during this dry season of their lives.
We delight in doing Your will; we joyfully contribute to the needs of others; and we seek to positively influence those around us.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/a-prayer-for-enjoying-work/)
Thanks Bruce, I'm a day late reading this one but it seems that was His intention. It is the third such devotion I've read today on this very same topic...Coincidence? I think not...JC
ReplyDeleteThanks, JC (James?). Perhaps this one is for you as well then (it certainly is for me):
DeleteFather, help us to view work as a blessing from You that gives us opportunity to participate in gathering adequate provisions for our family as well as making a positive difference in our work setting. We seek to overcome challenges in the workplace and are able to do so because we do our work heartily, as for You, Lord primarily. We seek to be just and diligent in our work not just when we’re being observed by our supervisors or fellow-employees, but we remain aware that You are always watching over us. We don’t resent or dwell on the negatives of our work or workplace, but recognize how we serve You well when we work with a cheerful heart. And we can do so knowing that our reward is not just the weekly paycheck but most importantly the glorious eternal inheritance we receive in heaven. Keep us faithful we pray. Amen.
(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/a-prayer-for-a-strong-work-ethic/)