As the deer pants for streams of water,
     so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
     When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 42:1-2

Prayer

Gracious God, sometimes when I’m at work I can feel so empty inside, so dry, so thirsty. I can be preoccupied with the tasks before me, forgetting your presence. But then, in a moment, I feel my need for you. I am like a deer in the desert, panting for streams of water. I am so thirsty, Lord, for your living water. I long to know your presence even in my usual, unspectacular work.

I wonder when I can go and meet you. When can I get a break? When can I gather with your people for worship? When can I find refuge in a sacred place?

But then I remember that you are present. You are right here, with me now. I don’t have to go anywhere to be with you. I need only to remember you, to turn toward you, to open my heart to you. I can do this even when my work is tedious, when I’m hassled and harried. Because you are with me, my workplace is a sacred place.

Help me, Lord, to meet you, not only in special times and places, but also in ordinary times and customary places, like my workplace. Thank you for being there even before I am aware of you. Amen.

Ponder Throughout the Day

God is present in your place of work. You can meet God right where you are.

For Further Reflection

Read all of Psalm 42, 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.

If you’d like to go deeper in your experience of God’s presence in your work, let me once again recommend a devotional guide I wrote called Practicing the Presence of God at Work: A Bible Study on Work Inspired by Brother Lawrence. You can find it here on the De Pree Center website.

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.