Evening Prayers: Vocation - 8 January 2023

 

(Our Jobs): LORD God, you told your people, “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwelling places” (Leviticus 23:3). You not only tell us how important sacred rest is, but also how valuable our vocations are. You point out that we have callings, jobs, and careers that are good and worth investing into during the vast majority of our week. Thank you for acknowledging our work. We ask for your help, direction and focus in our jobs. Honestly, Father, work can grind down our hearts; bosses can grate against our nerves making Monday a sheer drudgery; customers and clients can almost make us pull our hair out with frustration. Therefore, help us to recapture and be recaptured by your Scripture’s valuable reminder, “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).  O Lord, hear our prayer. 

(Domestic Callings): We ask you, Lord, to be with those whose calling is to be home, or raise kids, or care for the homebound. Bless their hands and hearts. As they labor to maintain orderliness in the home; as they give their children healthy places to grow up, learn, play, and develop as godly people; as they attend to their aging loved ones, some requiring more help than others; may they all know your pleasure, be filled with your presence, flourish in your provision, and see you profit their important work. O Lord, hear our prayer. 

(In Retirement): We also ask you to be with those who are in retirement. With more time on their hands, and freedom to travel, see adult kids and grandkids, tinker around with hobbies, it could become all too easy to slide into indolence, self-centered complacency, or self-absorbed pleasure. That’s very much one of the messages our age sells to retirees. Thank you for the many in the congregation who are still serving you, even if at a slower pace than 20 years ago. Thank you that they make themselves available to serve in various capacities. Thank you that in giving, they give more than just their funds, but also their prayers, energies, and lives. May they continue to see the value of their vocation, their ultimate calling, even in retirement. O Lord, hear our prayer.

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