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(presented by Lauren Stibgen)
Some days, I just feel alone. Living out your faith at work can sometimes seem difficult, especially if you don’t have someone to share it with. One of the ways I have found that I can live out my faith at work, is to pray for the lost.
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38).
It occurs to me that one of the reasons I often feel alone at work is because I look at my “labor” or “work” incorrectly. As we can see in this verse from Matthew, the laborers are few. Few. As I consider my true work, it really isn’t about what I am doing at my desk.
I am called to work hard at everything to bring glory to the Lord, but my focus should be on the harvest. Knowing I am one of the few in labor for His kingdom, I also need to be in prayer for how others see me at work. How am I fulfilling the greatest commandment to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul and mind, and to love my neighbor as myself? I need to start with thinking of my superiors, colleagues, and subordinates as my neighbors.
The word love sounds deep for some workplaces, but I want to challenge you that one of the ways you can love at work, without anyone knowing is to pray for those around you. Maybe you start praying for someone in need in secret, but eventually ask if you can pray for them. Simply knowing you are praying can give someone comfort—even if they don’t have faith like you do.
And don’t worry about offending someone. I have found that they will let you know if they don’t want prayer…yes, I have had someone tell me NOT to pray.
Praying for others is one way to show others the love of Christ, but we can also pray for how we reflect Christ and attract others. 2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us that light shall shine out of darkness…give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
Pray for your words. This may seem simple, but gossip and unkindness find their way into the workplace quickly. You can pray that “no corrupting talk comes from your mouth, but only what is good for building up” (Ephesians 4:29).
Pray for your excellence. Often, we wake up and don’t know how we will show up to work. Maybe it is a project we don’t love, or a deadline that is causing stress.
Pray for God to send someone to you—to send you the lost. I have made this prayer a constant, and God has shown up in a bold way. More than one woman has hopped on a prayer call, and remarked, that they joined not knowing why, or having found the call by happenstance.
Jesus tells us that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nice righteous persons who need repentance (Luke 15:7).
More joy in heaven. Now this is something to pray for!
Heavenly Father, give us hearts to seek the lost at work, and to reflect your glorious light that others know your glory in Christ Jesus!