November 1, 2019 • Life for Leaders
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
Psalm 17:8-9 (NIV)
Prelude:
The workplace includes a wide variety of relationships. Sometimes those with whom we work become not only valued colleagues but also true friends. At other times, we may find that people in our workplace are out to get us. Perhaps they’re consumed by competition for the next promotion. Perhaps they resent our success. Or, perhaps, for some unexplained reason, they simply don’t like us.
The following prayer is based on Psalm 17, a prayer composed by David when many were out to get him. Of these people he writes, “They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover” (Psalm 17:12). Perhaps you have such lions in your workplace right now. If so, then the following prayer might be just right for you. But if you’re not confronting workplace “lions” at the moment, you may want to pray the following prayer on behalf of others who are struggling.
Prayer:
In desperation I cry out to you, Lord.
O Lord, hear my cry!
I’m telling you the truth when I say that someone is out to get me,
To malign me, to step on me to get ahead, to discourage and defeat me.
Lord, I need your help right now!
Keep me, O God, as the apple of your eye.
Guard me as you would the pupil of your own eye,
Protecting me from arrows of falsehood and blame.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings,
As a mother hen would protect her chicks.
Fend off the attacks of those who would injure me.
Protect my heart from discouragement and depression.
Though I call out for your help, Lord,
And though I’m eager for your to save me from those who would hurt me,
Most of all I yearn to know that you are there for me,
That you are watching me,
That you will never abandon me.
Being face to face with you—
That’s what matters most of all. Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day:
When people oppose you, remember that God is always with you. Always!
Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online
commentary:
Bringing Our Enemies and Opponents to God (Psalms 4, 6, 7, 17)
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, and the founder of the De Pree Center’s Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Initiative. Previously, Mark was the Executive Director of the De Pree Center, the lead pastor of a church in Southern California, and the Senior Director of Laity Lodge in Texas. He has written eight books, dozens of articles, and over 2,500 devotions that help people discover the difference God makes in their daily life and leadership. With a Ph.D. in New Testament from Harvard, Mark teaches at Fuller Seminary, most recently in his D.Min. cohort on “Faith, Work, Economics, and Vocation.” Mark is married to Linda, a marriage and family counselor, spiritual director, and executive coach. Their two grown children are educators on the high school and college level.
More Like This
