Prayers for Workers: A Prayer for Fruitfulness

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

A Note from Mark:

If you’ve been reading Life for Leaders for a while, you know that Friday devotions are usually drawn from the Psalms. In fact, last week I just completed one whole lap of the Psalms, drawing my inspiration from Psalm 150.

Today I want to start something a bit different. For a while, Friday devotions will still be based on the Psalms, but the format will be new. Rather than reflecting and then praying, I want to share a prayer right up front. This prayer will be explicitly connected to work, both paid and unpaid. My intention is that this approach to the Psalms will help you to pray in the context of your own work, whether you labor in a kiosk or a kitchen, a shop or a studio, a field or a factory, a boardroom or a bodega, a classroom or a church.

My hope is that this series of prayers based on the Psalms will help you go deeper in your workplace discipleship. May you discover God’s presence right where you work and find new freedom to offer all that you are to God in workplace worship.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, as I think about my work, I want to be like that tree in Psalm 1.

I want to yield fruit in season.

I don’t want my leaves to wither.

I yearn to prosper in whatever I do in my work.

You have made me to be fruitful, Lord. So my yearning is part of my God-given DNA. That I want my life to matter – yes, my work to matter – is a result of how you have created me. Plus, I am your handiwork, created anew in Christ Jesus for good works that you’ve prepared for me. I want to do these works in all of life, including the part of life I call my work.

Help me, I pray, to be a tree planted by streams of water.

May my roots grow deeply into your truth and love.

May I take time each day to meditate on Scripture, so it might inform and inspire my work.

Even as I’m doing my job, focusing on the tasks before me, may your Word be alive within me: guiding, encouraging, nourishing, empowering, and liberating.

To you be all the glory in my work today! Amen.

Ponder Throughout the Day:

Meditating on God’s Word will help you to be fruitful in your work.

For Further Reflection:

In addition to Psalm 1, this prayer has been inspired by Genesis 1:28, Ephesians 2:10, and Hebrews 4:12-13.

Explore more at The High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project:
Best of Daily Reflections: Avoiding the Sweetness of Evil