If the demands of your job seem exceptionally intense this week, consider praying more to prepare for it.
That’s what Martin Luther, the German reformist did. He said:
“Tomorrow I plan to work, work, work, from early until late. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
Luther understood that, the greater the demands of his job, the harder he must pray to prepare for it.
What a concept!
Think what would happen if we applied that same principal to our lives today.
The lawyer who had a difficult case would first spend hours consulting the Lord’s wisdom through prayer and meditation.
The electrician who had a deadline to meet would pray first about every minute detail of the project and would finish ahead of schedule.
The child-care worker who would spend enough time in prayer that she would be able to call out each child’s name individually, and the kids would be so filled with a holy calm that her days would be filled with peace.
And on my job in volunteer management the stress from the myriad meetings, training sessions, and tabletop drills in preparation of the hospital where I work moving across town would dissipate.
The more we pray about and for our jobs, the more freely Jesus is able to move on our behalf.
Prayer softens the disposition of even the toughest manager.
Prayer, by it’s very nature, promotes teamwork.
Prayer creates an atmosphere of love.
But most of all, prayer transforms us into Christlike beings who serve with joy and esteem our fellow man better than ourselves.
Perhaps that is why Luther found it so necessary to pray so much. He prayed so that he could work hard with Christ-like attitude.
What about you?
What work do you have to do this week?
And what prayers do you need to pray in order to get the job done?
“…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)