Trusting God at the Beginning of a New Job
A Liturgy for Beginning a New Job
O God Who Goes Before Me,
You are present and at work
in every age, in every season,
in every beginning.
So be present to accomplish
your purposes now,
in me,
around me,
and through me,
at the start of this new job.
Use this next chapter, and all
that my time here will entail,
both as means to provide
for my material needs,
and as means to shape me
more into the image of Jesus.
Seeking God’s Purpose in Your Work
Let me steward with diligence
all opportunities here—for I
cannot know where this path
might one day lead.
If this is just a job that provides
a paycheck, let me still be in this
place a cheerful and productive
presence, encouraging others, and
always truly grateful for what I receive.
Or if this work is something more
than simply a means to pay the bills,
but is a significant step along the path
to vocation, or to fulfillment of a calling—
perhaps even in some surprising way
that I cannot yet foresee—then let me
lean all the more into each opportunity
to learn, to grow, to serve, to build
relationships, to gain skill and knowledge,
to interact with and to serve others.
Serving Christ Through Faithful Work
Let me be of good benefit to those
who hired me, taking seriously whatever
responsibilities they entrust to me,
and remembering daily that my labors
here are a service rendered first unto you.
Let my efforts and my interactions with bosses,
co-workers, project managers, customers,
or clients be marked from the start by an
engaging gladness and a sincere attentiveness.
Make me mindful of the ways in which
my own kindness and faithfulness might
preach a silent sermon, bearing implicit
witness to your abiding presence with me
in this place. Let my life be so marked
by your love and truth—expressed in
my character and in my care for others—
that it might be as an appealing aroma,
rousing a holy hunger in others, inclining
their hearts toward you.
Being a Christ-Bearer in the Workplace
So let me remember each day
as I enter this space,
that I am a Christ-bearer here.
Let me take seriously this next stage
of my life, O Lord, making good use
of this time, investing my hours and
my efforts well, planting in this soil that
which might in days to come sprout,
bloom, and bear good harvest.
A Prayer for God’s Guidance in a New Season
I praise you for this beginning, O God.
I praise you for your loving provision
expressed in this employment.
Now lead me and walk beside me, Jesus,
as I step into this new season, this new
set of challenges, responsibilities, and
opportunities, this new network of
relationships, this new place,
this new job.
Amen.
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:17
Excerpted from Every Moment Holy: Rites of Passage by Douglas Kaine McKelvey (copyright YEAR, published by Rabbit Room Press)
