How To Pray For Our Labor

Evening Service for 9/5/2004

Labor

Introduction:

A father is asked by his friend, “Has your son decided what he wants to be when he grows up?” “Yes, he wants to be a garbage collector,” replied the boy’s father. His friend thought for a moment and responded, “That’s a rather strange ambition to have for a career.” “Well,” said the boy’s father, “he thinks that garbage collectors only work on Mondays!”

WBTU:

A. Tomorrow is Labor Day

B. R.C. Sproul- The cradle of the church was the marketplace. From the preaching and public ministry of Jesus to the daily acts of the apostles, the central scene was the marketplace. Perhaps the greatest need for our day is the need to market Jesus Christ. The church must become expert in marketing: Not in the slick, Madison Avenue style, but in an aggressive, yet dignified way. The marketplace is where we belong. It is where needy people are found.”

C. The church gathers on Sunday, but scatters Monday through Saturday. Followers of Jesus Christ live as God’s ambassadors in the marketplace. Jesus sent his followers in the world to penetrate the marketplace.

D. Campus Ministry

E. This is spiritual and this is not. Everything we do is spiritual. (1 Cor 10:31 NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

F. Compartmentalize our lives.

G. Pray without ceasing.

H. Make mention of the Prayer Vigil October 2nd.

I. We need to discover effective ways to pray for our employers, customers, and coworkers and ourselves in the workplace.

Thesis: Let look at things that we need to personally pray about for our workplace and then let’s look at ways we can pray for others in our workplace.

For instances:

Personally

A. Pray that we will be able to be creative in our workplace. Use the gifts and talents that God has given us for the good of the company and for the good of the Kingdom.

1. God was creative when he made the world. We have his image in us.

2. Use our SHAPE in the workplace. Spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality and experiences.

3. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

4. For years Gordon MacDonald rode the same bus daily from his home to his church in New York City. One day the bus driver complained to MacDonald: “You’ve got it a lot better than me. You have an interesting job and travel different places. I just drive this bus up and down the same streets every day.” MacDonald told the bus driver his job could be a Christian ministry too. “Every day, when you first get on this bus, before anyone else gets on, dedicate this bus to God for that day. Declare it to be a sanctuary for God for that day. Consecrate it to God’s glory, and then act like it is a place where God dwells.” Several weeks later MacDonald returned from a trip and saw the bus driver. “You’ve transformed my life,” the man said. “I’ve been doing what you said every day, and it has made me see my job in an entirely new perspective.”

B. Pray that we will have integrity in all that we do.

1. (Prov 10:9 NIV) The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

2. Enron

3. To be blameless is to do the right thing when you know that no one is looking.

C. Pray that we will be able to bring prosperity to the company and use this for the Kingdom.

1. (Deu 8:18 NIV) But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

2. Avoid the temptation of greed and materialism and dedicate wealth to God’s service.

3. Most companies are built to make wealth. Are we helping the company do this or are we a hindrance? Again with integrity.

D. Pray that we will be protected from violence and harsh words and people who are unreasonable.

1. Pray that the workplace will be one of peace and safety.

2. (Psa 91:9 NIV) If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge--(Psa 91:10 NIV) then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.(Psa 91:11 NIV) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

E. Pray that our words will be constructive and life giving, with truthfulness, to those around us.

1. (Eph 4:29 NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

2. (Mat 12:37 NIV) For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."