Workday Prayers: Praising God with the Products of Work
Scripture – Psalm 98:5-6 (NRSV)
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
Focus
When we worship as a community, we often use the products of work to enhance our worship. This was true in ancient Israel as well. For example, the people worshiped the Lord with musical instruments made from wood, metal, and animal gut (for strings). God is honored today when we offer our work in worship, even if we’re not able to craft musical instruments for use in church. All our work can be done for God’s glory.
Prayer
Gracious God, today we sing a new song to you, celebrating the marvelous things you have done. We celebrate your salvation through Jesus Christ. We look forward to the day when all the earth will break forth in joyous song because of your victory over sin and death.
How good it is to praise you in song, O God! How wonderful to sing to you! In our gathered worship we are blessed to offer the products of human work: pianos, guitars, and violins, trumpets, trombones, and tubas, saxophones, clarinets, and oboes, organs, keyboards, and drums. May what we have made with our hands glorify you.
And may this also be true in my daily work, even if I’m not building instruments for worship. As I make a presentation, serve a customer, or clean up after an event, may you be praised. As I teach a class, counsel a couple, or lead a Bible study, may you be praised. As I throw a pot, shoot a film, or sing a solo, may you be praised. As I cook dinner, tuck my kids into bed, or care for my parents, may you be praised.
Yes, O God, may my work give you glory and honor each day! Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
Whatever you’re doing today, may your work glorify God.
For Further Reflection
Read all of Psalm 98.
You might also enjoy reading “Why Work?” by Dorothy Sayers.
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: Joy to the World!
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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,...