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 are the vine; I am a branch. Apart from you I can do nothing. Stay with me. I want to abide in you and bear fruit with my life. (John 15:5)
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 15:7-8
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Meditation
Today there will be striving. You might be striving in your career. You might be striving in your studies. You might be striving in your parenting. You might be striving in your retirement.
Jesus invites us to abide in Him. Abiding and striving are not the same thing. Striving is doing. Abiding is being. Striving is working. Abiding is resting. Striving is always incomplete. Abiding is always complete.
Because of sin our daily callings are not always joyful and life-giving, but they can be a burden and toilsome and endless striving. But in Christ he has redeemed even your daily work.
Our work and daily vocations are important because through you Christ is loving people, through you Christ is meeting the needs of others, through you Christ is making himself known to the world. Our work is important. Our work has value. Our work has meaning.
This is your reminder to breathe. This is your reminder to let go. This is your reminder to rest. This is your reminder to trust. This is your reminder to keep going.
This is your reminder to abide in Christ. This is your reminder that Christ abides in you.
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.