This prayer really touched a cord in me today. Today and for the rest or the week, the company Matt works for will be firing people. They have already made huge cuts in spending, wages and in jobs. The job cuts started right before Christmas, happened again in January and now in February. I am beginning to think that there is no end to the job cuts. Everyone is constantly sitting on the edges of their seats hoping that it won't be them, I know we are. I do realize that some cuts have to be made in order to get through the hard times but I also worry about the people who are being fired and those who are having to fire so many people. What is this doing to all of them? What kind of strain is this putting on them; emotionally, socially, spiritually? Today I want to pray for everyone who knows someone who is losing their jobs or having to fire someone. Let's say this prayer together.
O God,
every good gift comes from your hand
and you have been generous to so many
in so many ways...
But the times are changing
and things we have taken for granted
are slipping from our hands and beyond our reach...
As the economy falters
keep our stride firm and strong
even when the familiar path
slips from beneath our step...
Renew our trust in your care for us
and in the help that we can offer each other...
Help us to know the things we truly need,
to let go the things we only want
and to know the difference between the two...
As we let go the extra things, the frills and frolics,
teach us to love the simpler things
and especially the simple joys
that bring us together...
Help us to accept what we have lost
and give us the strength to look again
for work and for hope...
Make us quick to help our neighbor
and to accept our neighbor's help...
Give us the grace of a new beginning
even when we're not sure
where or how to begin...
Renew our desire to be close to you
and refresh a spirit of prayer within us...
Hear us when we cry out to you
and give us confidence
that you hear our every prayer...
Help us to trust in you, O God,
"that all shall be well,
and that all shall be well,
and that all manner of things shall be well..."
Our Father...
(The quotation that ends the prayer is from 14th-century mystic Julian of Norwich)
-ConcordPastor
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3 comments:
Such a wonderful prayer, definitely needed right now. Working as the scholarship chair at preschool, I see first hand how difficult it is for families to get by, and several have lost their jobs. Take care, God is good all the time!
thank you
Thanks for the power of prayer. I just lost my job for the third time in 3 years. I've been very depressed this week and this prayer put focus on the bigger picture.I look forward to what the Lord has for me this year.
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