A Prayer to Appreciate Labor Day
By Lynette Kittle
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”- Colossians 3:23
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W-O-R-K. A word some consider a bad word, but long before it became something some individuals try to avoid, it was a gift from God, although many may disagree.
Before the world fell to sin, God created work for us from the very beginning of the earth, establishing it before the Fall of man. A gift designed for our good.
We know work is good, because God worked first, describing it in Genesis 2:2: “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all his work.”
As well, Genesis 2:15 describes where humankind's work began: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Still, to be fair, we aren’t working in a sinless world, as Adam and Eve did for a while, so, like everything else affected by sin, work has been affected.
God’s Call to Work
Yet God calls us to work with all our hearts, seeing it as working for Him rather than for human bosses, and despite sin’s effect on work, we can still find a sense of satisfaction in doing it for Him. As Philippians 2:14 encourages, we are to “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”
Also, because God initiated work and everything He creates is beneficial for us in multiple ways, even in our sleep, as Ecclesiastes 5:12 reminds us, how the sleep of a laborer is sweet.
Rest Is Essential to Appreciating Our Labor
To appreciate Labor Day, we need to appreciate work, which, overall, most of us really don’t. Of course, work for us takes many forms nowadays, with some seeming more laborious than others.
Physical work may seem to take a greater toll on our bodies, whereas more mind-centered work may take a greater toll on our mental and spiritual selves, which ultimately affects our bodies as well.
Hebrews 4:4 reveals that, “On the seventh day God rested from all His works.”
If God rested, how much more do we need rest after work, especially as sin affects how we often see and feel about work? Hebrews 4:10 explains how, “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.”
So, rest is essential after work, as God has modeled for us. If we think we can skip rest, we are being deceived, believing we are stronger than God, who rested from work. If He needed to rest, how much more do we need and benefit from resting?
Our Work Is Meant to Glorify God
Even Jesus worked, as He tells His Heavenly Father in John 17:4: “I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do.”
As Jesus modeled, God has designed work to glorify Him. He didn’t assign us work without the purpose of bringing glory to Him, along with accomplishing His will on earth, and benefiting us in ways we may not comprehend.
As 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Whenever we need encouragement in our labor, we can turn to 1 Peter 4:11, which reminds us, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
Let’s Pray
Dear Father,
Soften my heart, Lord, I pray, to truly appreciate Labor Day and the work You gave me to do on earth. Daily remind me that work is Your idea. Help me to work unto You, to fulfill Your will and purposes on earth, and bring glory to You. Strengthen my hands and open my eyes to appreciate labor and to see the many benefits that come to me through working. Lead me to be a diligent and faithful worker who honors You through my labor. Convince my heart to believe that my work is not in vain, but is working together in my life and in this world for good. Above all, let Your name be praised through my labor.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Discuss today’s devotional with others in the Your Daily Prayer thread on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Mario Arango
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Related Resource: Praying Through Life’s Battles
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Maybe it is an unanswered prayer, a painful loss, a strained relationship, a health concern, or a circumstance that feels far beyond your control. When life feels overwhelming, we can become so consumed by our emotions—or so busy trying to fix everything ourselves—that prayer is often one of the first things we neglect.
This week on The Love Offering Podcast, my friend Rachel Wojo joins me to talk about her new 90-day devotional, Praying Through Life’s Battles. Drawing from her experience of loving and losing her daughter, Taylor, Rachel shares how prayer has sustained her through unimaginable grief and reminded her that she never faces life’s battles alone.
If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
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