As we have been talking about in our current sermon series, everything is worship. If everything is worship then that includes work. How often do you see work as an opportunity to offer worship unto God? Maybe phrasing worship as a “sacrifice of praise” seems more accurate since for many of us, work feels like a sacrifice most days…
I know I need to be reminded, and often, how my work is something I’m called to do and offer unto God as worship. For myself, I am speaking from the perspective of someone who is employed out there in the workforce, but also understand this can apply in many other cases where “work” can also be chores at home, work out on our small farm, or even things with the kids. I found this prayer in a prayer book years ago and I now read this on Monday mornings as I start my work week. I love the language and posture that it offers as I go into another week where I know there are going to be challenges that I face.
As we worship in the world with our entire lives we have the opportunity to show the world the humility, love, and grace of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our workplace is somewhere we spend the majority of our time during the week. How can we not offer that time, that work, those conversations – no matter how hard and challenging – as opportunities to worship through the highs and lows, potential suffering, and to trust and know that King Jesus is all that we need?
The prayer is pasted below, but here is a link as well, if you want to print or save a copy for yourself. I encourage you to pray through it as you start your next work day or work week, and think about integrating it into your own regular patterns of worship, especially as you think about work.
A Liturgy For One Who Is Employed
O Christ who supplies my every need,
I praise you for all provisions
and for the means by which they are provided.
For my current employment,
in this season of life, I give you thanks.
By it, may I meet my own needs,
and contribute to the needs of others.
Let me work and serve in this position with mindfulness, creativity,
and kindness, loving you well by loving all whom I encounter here.
Jesus, be ever present as mediator between me and my employer,
between me and my supervisors and co-workers,
and in all my dealings with others in this work,
reminding me that my treatment of them
is the strongest evidence of my affection for you.
Grant me therefore the patience to listen to others,
the humility to learn from them,
the compassion to consider their needs as my own,
and the grace to wear well in this place the name of my Lord,
remembering that I arrive here each day as an emissary of your kingdom.
Let me be an asset to my employer and superiors,
working for their flourishing without resentment.
Let me be a support to my peers,
contributing to their advancement without jealousy.
Let me be an encouragement to any I train or lead,
affirming and equipping them without disdain.
May the days of my employment here be meaningful.
Use this chapter in my life to accomplish your ends,
whatever they might be.
May my presence here daily suggest your presence here.
And may the outworking of the gospel be always evident in this my work,
that my service as an employee might be ever reckoned
and received as service first rendered unto you, O Christ.
Amen.
Author: Adam Kingsmore
Adam is the Worship Leader at Redemption Church. His wife and kids are awesome. He’s been leading worship for many years, and has written several of the songs we sing on Sundays, including God Send Revival! Check out our worship page here.