The heavens declare the glory of God;
     the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

Prayer

Your work, O God, is glorious.
You light up the sunrise,
and spread out the sunset.
You place the distant stars throughout the universe,
and kindle the sun to warm the earth.
There is no work as wonderful as yours, Lord.
Nothing on earth compares with your craftsmanship.

Yet, in your inscrutable wisdom,
you have created human beings as workers,
as those who uniquely bear your divine image.
We have been honored to share in your divine work,
helping this world to be fruitful,
guarding it from damage and distress.

Indeed, I am a worker, made to be like you,
reflecting your image along with all people.
My work will never be anything as amazing as your work, O God.
But may what I do through my work, in some small way,
reflect your glory, your love, your truth, your beauty.

Ponder Throughout the Day

As you work today, you are reflecting the image of God, the first and best worker.

For Further Reflection

Read all of Psalm 19, paying attention to what the Spirit of God is stirring up in your heart, especially in relationship to your work. Talk with God about what you are thinking and feeling.

You might also reflect on the following passages from Genesis:

So God created humankind in his image,
     in the image of God he created them;
     male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” – Genesis 1:27-28

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. - Genesis 2:25

This prayer is part of a collection: 52 Workday Prayers: Learn from the Psalms How to Pray through Your Work. To purchase this devotional and small group guide, visit the De Pree Center store.