by Rev. John DeBevoise
Almighty God, great and wondrous are your works. You placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden to till and keep it. You have blessed us with ability, and skills, and talents. Through our work, You invite us to partner with You, shaping the world in which we live. You gave dignity to our labor by sending your Son to labor with us. In our work we can pursue constructive contribution, good purpose, and a means of helping others. Through our work, we can enjoy the fruits of creation.
These possibilities are Your blessings. You are the source of all wisdom and purpose, be with us in good labor to guide and order the world, and provide for needs. Bless the work of our hands and prosper it. Creator, we give You thanks.
God of justice, give all men and women work that enhances human dignity and bonds us to one another.
We pray for those who seek employment and cannot find work.
We pray for those whose working conditions are unjust, cruel, a means of oppression.
We pray for those whose work hard for very little, and for those whose work is dangerous.
We cry out for children abused through work and those who suffer through human trafficking.
We pray for those whose work allows no rest, and for those who despair in their work, and whose labor is the context for breaking their spirit and body.
Lord, restrain those whose work is evil. God of community, use Your people to work together to bring an end to injustice and cruelty. Keep us from taking for granted the labor of others that serves us. Grant us satisfaction in our work, a fair return for our labor, and the joy that comes from knowing that our work serves Your purposes.
For we pray in the name of Jesus, whose life, in Your mercy, is the only saving work for us. Amen.