May the LORD give strength to his people!
     May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Psalm 29:11

Prelude

We tend to think of peace as the absence of conflict or as a calm inner state. Biblical peace includes these facets, but so much more. In Scripture, peace is present with life is the way God intends it to be, when relationships are right, when justice prevails, when both people and planet flourish.

Prayer

Gracious God, as I reflect on Psalm 29 and my work, I find stirred by this verse: “May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”

Indeed, Lord, I need your strength today as I work. I ask for strength to persevere when work feels overwhelming or tedious. I need your strength to deal with the disappointments associated with my work. Help me to press on even when I’m discouraged, when things I had hoped for don’t happen.

I need your strength to work in ways I never before imagined. The world has changed, Lord, and I’m struggling to keep up. Give me fresh vision and energy. Help me to be agile and resilient as I seek to work in new ways.

I also ask for your peace in the full biblical sense of that word. Help the relationships in my workplace to be healthy. Give us wisdom to create just systems and courage to get rid of what is unjust. I ask for my colleagues and for myself, that you would give us your peace as we work together. And may we share that peace with others through our work.

All praise be to you, O God, giver of strength and peace. Amen.

Ponder Throughout the Day

God’s strength and peace are there for you, if you ask.

For Further Reflection

Read all of Psalm 30, 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 passage from Ephesians:

For [Christ] is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. - Ephesians 2:14-16

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.