On this Labor Day weekend, we honor the gift
that is meaningful work and we stand in solidarity with those for whom work
brings unique and difficult challenges.
God who has
given us energy, strength, talents and gifts, we bring to you today the work of
our hands, hearts, and minds and ask your blessing upon our work.
For those who
work in physical labor, we give you thanks.
We ask for strength and endurance, for adequate rest, and for quality
work that brings satisfaction.
For those
whose work is learning, we give you thanks.
We ask for retention, connections made, and ideas that will carry them
into their future lives.
For those
whose work actively puts their lives in danger, emergency aid, firefighters,
law enforcement, prison work, military, and other sacrificial fields -- we give
you thanks. We pray for their safety and
for continued courage in the face of danger.
For those who
work to serve others, in retail, restaurant, housekeeping, landscape, and other
fields, we give you thanks. We ask for moments of gratitude, when the importance of what they have
done for the life of another is seen and acknowledged.
For those who
work in business, sales, and commerce, we give you thanks. We ask for a sense of fairness, and
satisfaction in work that brings benefit others.
For those
whose work is in social justice and advocacy, we give you thanks. We ask for protection as these individuals
seek to accompany the marginalized and desperate.
For those who
work in agriculture, we give you thanks.
We ask for favorable environmental conditions and teamwork between all people
providing food for so many.
For those who
work in law, government, utilities, and civil service, we give you thanks. We ask for grateful awareness of our
infrastructure and those who create and care for it.
For those who
work in the sciences, we give you thanks.
We ask that you would use their ideas to benefit the world through new
discoveries and new understandings.
For those who
care for others; mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, and medical technicians, caretakers
of the elderly, child care providers, and caretakers of family and households,
we give you thanks. We ask for clear
thoughts and patience, and loving connections between caregivers and those
receiving care.
For those who
work in ministry, chaplaincy, counseling, or whose work is intercession and
prayer for others, we give you thanks.
We ask that they would hear your voice and bring your love and grace
into the lives of others.
For those
whose work is creative; in arts, writing, journalism and ideas, we give you thanks. We ask that their work would bring beauty, truth, and
justice to the world.
For those
whose work is in our schools and any education, we give you thanks. From preschool to advanced education, we ask
for safety, eager students, and an acknowledgement of the gift that they
bring.
God, we
recognize that not all work has positive meaning or visible honor. We give you thanks for your beloved children
in these circumstances and ask your mercy.
For
individuals who are in challenging work environments, we give you thanks and
ask that you would give them endurance and honor their sacrifice.
For those who
desire work and are seeking jobs, we give you thanks. We ask that you would lead them to opportunities
and remind them that their value is still simply in being your beloved
child.
For
individuals who are forced into work of desperation or injustice, or work that
preys upon others, we give you thanks and ask your mercy and grace.
For individuals
who are trapped in work that is abusive or damaging, we give you thanks and ask
your mercy. We ask for justice and that
you would send your people into these situations to bring your love and help.
Gracious God,
as you gave yourself to us in your son Jesus Christ, we are filled with
gratitude for the opportunities to give ourselves to others through our
work. Remind us daily that we are yours,
and that though our work has meaning and can bring us and others benefit and
joy, our identity is found in you.
These and all
things we ask in the name of our savior Jesus Christ, AMEN
