Workday Prayers: God is Most High
Scripture Reading – Psalm 97:9 (NRSV)
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
Focus
Psalm 97 proclaims that God is “most high over all the earth.“ The Lord is exalted, not only over everything on earth, but even “far above all gods“ (97:9). The majesty of God impacts the way we see and experience our work. Sometimes work wants to be number one in our lives. It seeks our ultimate allegiance, that which belongs to God alone. When we remember God’s greatness as we work, we can do good work for God’s glory without bowing down to the idol of work.
Prayer
God, you are most high over all the earth. It’s not just that you are somewhere up in the heavens. You are most high in authority, wisdom, glory, beauty, and grace. Your greatness exceeds anything on earth. You are beyond anything we could imagine.
You are exalted far above all other “gods.” Not that there are actual gods who compete with you. Rather, you are exalted above everything to which we are tempted to give ultimate value. When it comes to my work, you are exalted above company profits. You are exalted above every plan and product. Your authority is greater than that of my boss, or the CEO, or the board and the stockholders.
No matter what I face at work, no matter whether I am glowing in success or struggling with failure, no matter my particular situation or setting, you, O God, are high above my work. Thus as I do my work, I want to be faithful to my organization. I want to work well, using the gifts you have given me. But, most of all, I want to work for your pleasure and glory. May I glorify you in all I do and say at work. May I treat others in such a way that they perceive your presence in me and sovereignty over me.
Be exalted, O God, in every part of my life. To you be all the glory! Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
Do your work today for God, who is exalted above everything else in the universe.
For Further Reflection
Read all of Psalm 97.
Read Colossians 3:12-17.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Above All Gods
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Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...