December 13, 2019 • Life for Leaders
All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 38:9 (NIV)
Prayer:
Gracious God, today I want to open my heart to you. Of course I know that you see all of me no matter what I do or say. But, on this day, I want to share with you some of my longings related to my work.
I long for work in which I can invest all that I am. I want to steward faithfully my talents and gifts. I am eager to use my skills and education in order to do good work, work that serves others and honors you.
Lord, I long for wisdom as I work. No matter my task, I’d like to be guided by you. May your wisdom be active in me throughout the day.
I long for work that matters. Not that everything I do has to save the world. But I want, in some small way, to make a difference in the lives of others.
Lord, I long to experience your presence as I work. Even when I’m in the midst of a project or meeting that seems so far from you, may I know that you are there, that you care, that you are with me.
I pray that you will be forming me through my work to be more like Christ. May I grow to be someone who deeply values others, who conveys your love in word and deed. May I become more patient, more encouraging, and more filled with gratitude.
Lord, in this season of Advent, we open our hearts to you, looking to you with hope. In this time of year, I lay my longings before you, waiting upon you with confidence in your love and grace. Amen.
Explore more at The High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project:
God Knows Everything You Long For
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders, and the founder of the De Pree Center’s Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Initiative. Previously, Mark was the Executive Director of the De Pree Center, the lead pastor of a church in Southern California, and the Senior Director of Laity Lodge in Texas. He has written eight books, dozens of articles, and over 2,500 devotions that help people discover the difference God makes in their daily life and leadership. With a Ph.D. in New Testament from Harvard, Mark teaches at Fuller Seminary, most recently in his D.Min. cohort on “Faith, Work, Economics, and Vocation.” Mark is married to Linda, a marriage and family counselor, spiritual director, and executive coach. Their two grown children are educators on the high school and college level.
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Yet another OUTSTANDING prayer, with excellent word choice! Amen, Come (into our workliife) Lord Jesus!!
Gid bless you, Mark!