Prayers for the world of work
A resource for
Preachers
Worship Leaders
and all thinking Christians
A note from the author of these prayers.
The Prayers for the World of Work project began as a result of conversations with another
Methodist NSM who then worked full time in a large IT services company. She is now a
Circuit Minister in Derbyshire. Those conversations crystallised a concern about the highly
selective way the church sees the world of work, especially in our public worship.
This project is ongoing. You will see from the introductory remarks that I have set some
challenges that I have singularly failed to answer satisfactorily.
It has been salutary to reflect on the project as I left it so long ago. In so many respects it
is dated and limited. It could be made more general -- of course it could -- but would that
be at thse cost of its present focus on the world of work?
There aspects of the structure which should very probably be revised,simply because the
world has changed so much, Cyber security has rocketed up the military and business
agenda. It seems likely that we shall see wholsesale changes in the employment marketplace,
with a far more limited rangne of options for the citizen. For earlier generations, physical
assets were what were used to ‘make money’; now, and increasingly, money itself has been
the commodity with which more money is made, Concern has been expressed that such
trends have led to a concentration of wealth which is threatenening the structure of civil
society.
It is not my purpose here to launch any kind of political campaign, but rather to point out
that if we are to pray for the workd of work we need to be clear and realistic in our
assumptions about that world.
I would love to see this stock of prayers increased in scope and variety. From time to time I
shall add to it myself, but would welcome any contributions—either a particular prayer or
else some thoughts on possibly extending the overall structure. If you have any suggestions,
please email me at:
John Ogden
We pray for all involved in Government, National,
Devolved and Local. In their service to the public
may they be wise in balancing issues of secrecy
and transparency. As they respond to sudden
crises may they do so with far-sighted wisdom.
As they govern for the good of all, grant them
the humility to acknowledge perspectives other
than those currently in favour, preferring sound
thinking to fashionable opinions. In their
deliberations grant them the grace to do justice,
love mercy and walk humbly.