Every Christian at some point faces being “weary” at their job. There are so many factors that can wear someone down when working. The usual suspects that make a Christian weary at work are being overworked, underappreciated, and being in an environment where their faith may not be welcomed or shared. During the pandemic, you could add to this list such feelings as anxiety, loneliness from isolation, and fear on every side.
Prayer Encourages the Soul
For Christians to stay encouraged they must take heed to the Apostle Paul’s instructions in Philippians chapter four. Paul had been imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. He was trying to encourage the brand new church at Philippi how to respond to persecution and hardship. Here is what he writes in Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT):
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul makes prayer a central application to combatting the tired and weary soul.
So, the action Christians should take to renew their strength and combat their weary soul is prayer. Prayer is not wishing or hoping, but rather communing with the Living God. It is not a monologue to give a proverbial to-do list to God as if He were a “heavenly butler.” Prayer is a relationship to be pursued. When Christians pray, they not only experience circumstances that may (or may not) change, but they experience change in their heart. That is the change the Apostle Paul was talking about in Philippians. They can experience the peace of God as they pray.
11 Prayers for Work
Here are several prayers for work to help Christians experience God when they find themselves tired, weary, and without hope at a job.
1. Prayer of Gratefulness
At some point, the job someone wants out of is the very job that they prayed for when they needed employment. It was a gift at the right time. So, pray this when you find yourself tired and beaten down:
God, thank you for this job. There are many negative factors I am facing but I want to thank You for opening this door when I needed it most. You are truly a Heavenly Father who provides. I thank You today for Your provision. Help me to be more aware of your blessings and have a grateful heart. Forgive me if my attitude has made me seem ungrateful.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Prayer of Mission
A job is a mission field to a Christian. There is the “gathered church” and the “scattered church.” The scattered church is open Monday through Saturday and it presents opportunities for the Gospel. If a Christian pays attention, a non-believer will give a cue for them as an open door. When they say, “I am struggling… my marriage is… my child is… I am battling anxiety…” they are opening a door. These are cues that can open the door for Christ. A Christian can find renewed strength at a job when they realize it is a mission field and they are a missionary sent by God to that workplace. A prayer of mission can be something such as:
God, help me to be sensitive to cues and please open doors for the Gospel. Help me to be a missionary to these unchurched people. Soften their hearts to the Gospel and let me plant and water the seeds of the Gospel every day for their salvation and in hopes that they may come to know You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
3. Prayer for Wisdom
A person is hired to solve problems. When they create more problems than they solve, they are fired. Throughout Scripture, there are people God uses by giving them wisdom to solve the world’s problems. Joseph was given the wisdom to help a nation avoid economic destruction. We can ask God:
Father, give me wisdom from heaven with the problems I encounter. Just as You were with Joseph and Daniel in highly secular environments, be with me in my environment. You helped them solve problems and You got the glory. Please give me Your wisdom and use me to reflect Your glory.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. Prayer of Stewardship
To stay strong long-term at our place of employment it will take a Christian understanding of the principle of stewardship. Our job is a gift from God. God gifted Adam and Eve the Garden of Eden. He gave them instructions and followed up for accountability. The job is the garden for the Christian. God has called them to be good stewards. You could pray this prayer for work to stay strong and be a good steward:
Father, thank You for this job. You have called me to tend the garden here as You did Adam and Eve. Help me treat this job as a gift from You and a responsibility to You. Help me to be faithful, hardworking, and responsible in my work.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
5. Prayer of Reliability
One of the greatest witnesses a Christian can have is to just be reliable and faithful. If co-workers or employers lose trust in someone, rarely will they want to know about their faith in the future. Pray this for reliability at work:
Father, help me to be someone who can be counted on at my job to be consistent and faithful. Help me to be reliable. May this give You glory and open doors to share my faith.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
6. Prayer for Believers
For some, there may be other Believers at their job and they may also be facing the same challenges. God places a Christian at a job to also pray for other fellow Christ Followers. A prayer for Believers at your job could be:
Father, I pray for the other weary Christians here at this job. I pray that You will give them strength and steadfastness. I pray for them to have perspective on what You are doing. Encourage them and help me to be a messenger of Good News to my fellow brothers and sisters in the faith who are struggling.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
7. Prayer for Lasting Fruit
The Apostle John records Jesus talking to his disciples about having, “fruit that remains.” Hopefully, a Christian wants that same type of fruit where they work. Understanding eternity helps give strength to the weary. Pray this simple prayer:
Father, help me bear lasting fruit at this job. I pray that there is an eternal impact beyond just a paycheck and solving earthly problems for people. In Jesus’ name.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
8. Prayer for Difficult People
Difficult people will be at any job. However, how a Christian chooses to navigate these people may greatly impact their witness. So, here is a prayer for these situations:
God, help me to be gentle with and bless those who may make my life difficult. Show me the grace You have for me and help me share that same grace with difficult people at my job.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
9. Prayer for Peace with Job Security
During the pandemic, fear and anxiety filled the minds of many due to the uncertainty surrounding the economy and their jobs. That can be very taxing and tear a person down mentally. Pray for peace and job security by asking:
Father, help me to be still and trust You and to know that You are the source of provision. I can find no security in a job or in earthly things, but in You I am secure. May You fill my heart, and the hearts of my coworkers, with Your peace. In Jesus’ name.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
10. Prayer for Productivity
People are hired to solve problems, so being productive can be a way to open the door for faith at a place of employment. Jesus also calls Believers to be fruitful; or productive. Here is a prayer for work and productivity:
Father, I need Your favor and grace to help me be productive, especially when I am tired and mentally exhausted. Help me to bear fruit at this job You have given me. Help me to reflect Your glory by being fruitful and productive. Correct me when I am being lazy or prideful at work.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
11. Prayer for Peacefully Adapting to Change
The only thing constant in life is change. It is not whether things will change, but how someone will adapt to them. The attribute of being flexible and adaptive is a way to be a team player at any job. Instead of letting change stress Christians out, they should go to the Lord in prayer, asking Him to help them be open-minded. During these times, you could ask God:
Father, help me be open to changes at work. Don’t let me be the one that causes stress when changes are made. Give me a “team player” attitude. May this be a witness to those around me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let Prayer Be Your Priority, Not Your Last Resort
These are just a few prayers for work that can encourage Christians when they are weary. Secular workplaces for Christians can be challenging and often discouraging but God sees our struggles and is with us always. Believers must let prayer be their priority, not their last resort. It is in prayer that we gain strength, perspective, and the peace of God. We hope these prayers for work bless you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions Christians might ask:
1. How can a Christian handle workplace stress and fatigue spiritually beyond prayer?
Incorporating scripture study, connecting with a faith-based community for support, and setting boundaries to ensure rest can help sustain one’s spirit in a challenging work environment.
2. What are ways to share faith in a secular workplace respectfully?
Demonstrating reliability, compassion, and humility, while being open to conversations when colleagues express personal struggles, can create natural opportunities for sharing faith without being intrusive.
3. How can Christian values shape career advancement and decision-making?
Prioritizing integrity, humility, and stewardship in career decisions aligns with Christian values and can lead to ethical, purpose-driven career progression.
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