Workday Prayers:
Praising God, Your Strength and Fortress
Scripture Reading: Psalm 59:17 (NRSV)
O my strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.
Prelude
The Hebrew word translated in Psalm 59:17 as “fortress” (misgab) literally means “high place.” In ancient times, before planes, missiles, and drones, if soldiers were up high on a mountain, for example, they would be almost completely safe. Thus, misgab had various connotations, such as “fortress, stronghold, or refuge.” We see this in David’s song of praise after the Lord delivered him from his enemies, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold [misgab] and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence” (2 Samuel 22:2-3).
Focus
When work grounds us down, God lifts us up. When we have more than we can possibly handle, God strengthens us. When we are attacked, God guards us. In all things, God loves us with a love that that is stronger than anything that would seek to hurt us.
Prayer
O God, when I am exhausted, I lean upon you. When I am discouraged, you give me hope. When I feel as if I can’t go on anymore, you carry me. When I am besieged by criticism or overwhelmed with too much to do, you lift me up. With you I am safe. With you I am secure. With you I am dearly and deeply loved.
All praise be to you, O God, because you are my strength. You are my fortress. You are the One whose love never lets me go. Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
God is your fortress. Find safety, strength, and rest in him today.
For Further Reflection
You may wish to read all of Psalm 59.
Also, check out David’s song of praise in 2 Samuel 22:1-51.
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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 High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: God Is My Strength
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,...