Workday Prayers: Responding to God’s Call to Justice

By Mark D. Roberts

January 13, 2022

Scripture Reading: Psalm 82:3-4 (NRSV)

Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
+++maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
+++deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Prelude

Psalm 82 envisions an official heavenly gathering of gods, over which the One True God rules. At first the Lord condemns the gods for judging unjustly (82:2). Then God call them to “give justice to the weak and the orphan” (82:3). Those with authority over the earth must use their power to do good, especially in caring for “the lowly and the destitute,” “the weak and the needy” (82:3-4).

Though we are not gods in a literal sense, as creatures made in God’s image, we have been given authority over the earth (see Genesis 1:28, for example). What God expected of the gods in Psalm 82 he expects of us. In our daily work we have the opportunity to live out God’s call to justice in all we do.

Focus

As God once said to the “gods” in the divine council, so God says to us: “Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute” (Psalm 82:3). In obedience to God’s Word and with God’s help, we are able to respond to this command in our daily work.

Prayer

Gracious God, you are King of kings and Lord of lords. All creation bows before you. Even the “gods” knell before your superior authority. I also bow before you, acknowledging you as Lord of all and, indeed, my Lord.

Help me, I pray, to serve you in all I do, including my daily work. May I use the authority given to me for good. May I treat all my colleagues with justice, no matter their position or situation. May I show special concern for those with little authority or influence in my organization. May our structures and systems embody your justice. Help me, I pray, to be a beacon of your truth in all I do and say.

To you be the glory, King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.

Ponder Throughout the Day

God calls us to give justice to those who are weak, who are unable to secure justice for themselves.

For Further Reflection

You may wish to read all of Psalm 82.

Read also Isaiah 1:12-20.

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 archive Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Best of Daily Reflections: Where Is God’s Country?


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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,...

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