Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

for our friends out of work

Sheila. Rick. Meg. Jim. Beth.

The number of people I know who are out of work – many for longer than a year… some going on two – weighs heavy on my heart. I don’t call them as often as I should. I certainly don’t do enough for them.

But tonight I will pray. Will you join me?

Lord God, you call upon us to work with our hands. For our daily bread, to earn the respect of outsiders and avoid being a burden on others. So when those doors are closed, it can be so challenging, frustrating, especially when we are responsible for others in our family.

Tonight, Lord God, I ask you to open doors, create opportunities, and help your people find their paths – whether that is in the workforce, in ministry or another calling. Keep roofs over their heads, food on their plates, and make it easy for them to provide for their parents, children and spouses.

But above all Lord, let the peace of Christ overwhelm them tonight. And tomorrow. And the day after. Let them feel your presence. Your love. Like a roaring fire on a cold night. Let them grow strong, patient and confident in your presence. Help them persevere in every way possible.

Tonight Jesus, watch over your children Sheila. Rick. Meg. Jim. Beth. And for those added in the comments below.

Amen


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5 comments:

  1. Ed, I concur that I don't pray or do enough for my friends out of work. Let me add Walter, a wonderful man in our church who has been out of work over a year. Also his car broke down so he has to take the bus to look for jobs. Pray that Walter will get a job and finances to get his car fixed.

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  2. Reading today that 26 million Americans are unemployed or underemployed. We have a lot of praying to do. Let me add my friend Fred to this list, who found out his job was "discontinued" last year.

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  3. An excellent prayer, Ed. Unemployment is rampant in the Motor City area, so your prayer is especially needed now.

    There is one thing I'd like to add. The underemployed need to be remembered too and there are a lot of them! A young (18) friend of mine named Casey has been essentially "emancipated" by his parents, and needs work in order to be able to afford a place to live as well as attend college. Lately his job at Best Buy is only one day a week, enough for a bit of pocket change, but little else. He has no car and must take a bus or walk to get anywhere. He has a place to sleep at his grandparents' house, but not much else except for college loans.

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  4. I add my son Matt and my friends Barbara, Clark, Gary and Eric to he list of those needing employment. Lord direct all of these and those who are needing work.

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  5. I add my friend John-Paul desparately in need of work.

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