I spend the first portion of my day studying and preparing for sermons. At about 6:45 a.m. I need to transition to the next part of my day, a job in the construction industry guiding the upfront portion of commercial projects. I love the first part of my day . . . preparing sermons. For the second and longer part of my day I’m motivated by certain addictions . . . I’m addicted to eating, heat in the winter, and wearing clothing in public . . . stuff like that. There’s a moment each day when I must transition from one to the other. In that moment I experience a sense of dread that rears two questions in my mind (maybe they come from my heart): (1) how am I going to hold up under the pressure and (2) is this chasing after money ultimately futile?
My transition happens in my mind somewhere between my second-floor
study at home and my second-floor office downtown Lafayette. I switch from
meditating on Scripture to preparing my mind to attack the challenges of the workday.
It might happen between the first and second floor at home, in my truck on a
thirty-minute drive, or walking through the parking garage. When dread hits, I
always say a specific prayer.
This prayer renews my confidence that God is guiding me through the pressure and that my job has purpose.
Lord . . .
Give me the mind of Christ so that I can think the thoughts of Christ.
Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can make every decision with your perfect wisdom.
Pour your love into me that the world might see your lovingkindness and faithfulness through me.
Put your compassion in me so that I will be moved by Jesus’s compassion while I’m working with people in the world.
Remind me at every turn to do everything as unto the Lord and not for men so that you will be glorified in my work.
~Stacy Abernathy
These are, as you will likely notice, tied to specific verses in Scripture: 1 Cor 2:16; James 1:5; Rom 5:5; Matt 9:36; and Col 3:23.
This prayer is an ask and a reminder of what is already
true. Without it, a sense of dread follows me through my whole day. I hope this
helps somebody out there.
