Prayers for Workers: The Earth is the Lord’s

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-2 (NRSV)

The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,
+++the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas,
+++and established it on the rivers.

Focus

Psalm 24 proclaims, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in.” This truth can transform your daily work. Ultimately it all belongs to God: your workplace, tools, plans, products, inventory, colleagues, customers, employees, supervisor, capital, profits, systems, structures, and influence. Therefore, honor God through your work today. Do justice and love kindness. Treat all people with dignity. To God be the glory!

Prayer

O God, creator of all things, because you have created them, they belong to you. All of them.

The earth belongs to you, the planet with its mountains and plans, its lakes and rivers, its oceans and seas. From the outer crust to the innermost core, this earth is yours because you made it and it exists for your glory and pleasure.

Everything in this world belongs ultimately to you, Lord. Yes, I might claim ownership of my home or car, my business or cubicle, and all the stuff upon which I might put my name. But, in reality, I’m just a steward of what you have entrusted to me.

So, whether I own “my own business” or work for another, I confess that everything is yours. What I make with my hands or create with my strength or organize with my mind, it all belongs to you. The technology that makes my work possible also belongs to you, including electrical grids, roads, digital conferencing platforms—and, yes, even the Internet.

Those who live in this earth also belong to you. Though they may not know your name or recognize your sovereignty, they will are yours. Even if they deny you, your claim upon them remains.

Help me as I work, Lord, to see those with whom I interact as people who belong to you. May I recognize that they bear your image. Thus, may I treat them all with respect and kindness. May I seek your justice in my workplace, whether in the way I run my business or the way I treat the person working beside me.

The earth is yours, Lord. All of it. Including me and my work. May I honor and glorify you through my work today. Amen.

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Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Commentary on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Business Ethics (Psalms 15, 24, 34)