Rest is good. We’re taking a break from producing content over the summer. Enjoy this previously produced pattern and meditation.
With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Making the sign of the cross, I say,
O God, I have much to do. I cannot fulfill all my responsibilities without divine assistance. You have given me purpose. You have called me to important work. I commence my work only by your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
I invite my Lord,
Jesus, you said I could ask. You said I could call on you. You said you would answer. Forgive my feeble and faithless prayers. Teach me to pray bold and fruitful prayers. Hear my voice. Amen.
Confession
I confess my sins,
Lord, there is much in me that needs reform. O gracious God, remove my guilt and pollution. Restore all that I have spoiled. Wash away my sin, but not simply to leave a vacant space. Fill my forgiven heart with sacred gifts and a holy compulsion to do your will. Form me into the likeness of Jesus. Wipe clear a clean slate, then mark it with holy handwriting. Redeem my unworthiness that you may be glorified in my being. I would be nothing; be thou all in all. Amen.
Word: John 15:16
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Meditation
You have a secret weapon. Jesus placed it in your hands. “. . . whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” What mighty power. What a bold invitation. What a supernatural gift.
How often do we pray timidly? We think our prayers are too much to ask. Or that we don’t deserve to have them heard. Even worse, we grow weary of prayer. We reduce it to occasional moments. We treat God like 911 and only call in emergencies.
Jesus said, “whatever you ask the Father . . .” I suppose we could ask for dangerously selfish things: to be a billionaire, death to our enemies, sublime pleasure. But a precondition for this kind of bold prayer is that you ask it “in my name.” When you are connected to Christ, when you abide in him, you begin to see things the way he does. You want what he wants. You ask for things that align with his will.
So ask. You Savior has invited you. It’s part of a fruitful life.
Prayers for Daily Callings
- For my occupation, workplace, coworkers.
- For my work to be good for others, an extension of God’s love and care.
- For the unemployed.
- For growth in my career; not to work for a paycheck but for you and others.
- For discernment, if I should pursue another job or direction in life.
- For my callings at home as spouse, son/daughter, brother/sister.
- For schools, teachers, classmates.
- For eyes to see God’s work around me this day. For the courage to participate in it.
- Not to be comfortable in my callings, but to be useful.
Prayer
O Creator, unless you build the house, those who labor build in vain. Make my work good for you. I do not want my work to be vapor, the whims of my own dreams. I want what you want for me. I want to do significant work that you desire. Lord, give me good work to do. Grow abundant fruit through my life so that you get glory. Amen.