Prayer for the Workaholic

Scripture reference: Hebrews 13:5; Proverbs 23:4-5; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Psalm 127:1-2

Father, thank you for your presence.

Thank you for never leaving me, for never forsaking me.

Thank you that I have to do nothing to enjoy the peace your presence brings.

How often do I forget this simple truth?

How often do I spend my time trying to organize myself and others,

Trying to create this perfect environment,

This perfect household,

This perfect community,

This perfect church,

This perfect body,

This perfect mind,

When you have already done the necessary work?

Help me to cease my striving and lean into you.

I surrender my love of money and success,

Of notoriety, my love of importance, my love of control.

Reveal to me the other idols I’ve made for myself in this area

So that I can freely lean back in your loving arms,

and remember that  to be with you is the most important thing to do.

Help me to be content with you.

Help me to remember my work is not my identity,

My accomplishments, my weariness, my busyness -

They are not badges of honor.

The only honor you desire for your people is Christlikeness.

Our honor is Christ in us, our hope of glory.

Help me to be more like you. Help me to be shaped into your character

Into a person who rests with their identity firmly planted in their Heavenly Father.

Though accomplishment and wealth seem to be the marks of success in this earthly kingdom,

Let me be marked by you.

Let me fly on your wings, not my own handmade forgeries.

And help me to enjoy the fruits of my labor! To enjoy the life you’ve gifted me with.

Let the rest in you and let the release of control over work manifest in continuous joy and gratitude to you. Let me not be marked by bitterness or busyness or criticism, but peace in you, joy towards you and all your creation, and endless gratitude.

I find peace in your presence, rest in your presence, and wholeness in your presence.

Thank you for these wonderful gifts and the work you’ve done to make it so, work that I don’t have to do.

Glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Spirit.

Amen