Workday Prayers: Celebrating God’s Work

Scripture – Psalm 104:10-13(NRSV)

You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
     they flow between the hills,
giving drink to every wild animal;
     the wild asses quench their thirst.
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
     they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
     the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

Prelude

Psalm 104 begins by celebrating God’s creative power as seen in the world God made. Beginning in verse 10, the psalm writer acknowledges how God has made the natural world so that animals have water to drink. “You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal” (104:10-11a). 

Psalm 104 harkens back to the opening chapters of Genesis in which God works by creating all things. Yet the psalm sees God’s work, not only in the original act of creation, but also in ongoing acts of sustaining that creation. God’s work can be both creative and sustaining. 

And so it is with our work. Sometimes we get to create, whether by turning pottery, writing a lesson plan, designing a new job, or giving birth to children. Often our work is more in the sustaining or nurturing mode as we wash the dishes, grade papers, manage our staff, or feed our family. No matter the work we do, we imitate God the original worker, doing that for which God created us. 

Prayer

Gracious God, indeed you created the world flowing with water. You have made things so that animals can quench their thirst . . . including us. Thank you, Lord, for the provision of water. Thank you for all you do to sustain and nurture us.

I praise you today for being a God who works. You don’t sit back and demand that others do it all for you. Rather, in creation you worked in a unique and wonderful way. And you continue to work in the world as you sustain all things by your powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). 

Your work, O God, meets our needs. Your work satisfies us, fills us, nourishes us. Your work enables me to do the work to which you have called me. It strengthens, inspires, and encourages me.

Today, Lord, as I do my work, may I celebrate your work and its fruits. 

Ponder Throughout the Day

God’s work satisfies. It empowers you to do work that serves others. 

For Further Reflection

Read all of Psalm 104.

Read also Hebrews 1:1-14. 

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: Human Creativity With God (Psalm 104)

Subscribe to Life for Leaders

Sign up to receive a Life for Leaders devotional each day in your inbox. It’s free to subscribe and you can unsubscribe at any time.