The Place of Work at Prayer

There are lot of ways we can invite God to join us more closely at work. Many of us may mutter a prayer for help as we walk the last yards to our place of work and are pleased to discover that He is there as we give out the medication, organise the staff team or deliver a baby. We can also thank Him when we go home, even if things have not gone smoothly, that we can learn from our mistakes. If we get the chance, let us commit the day to Him. Having a quiet time before work can set us up for the day and keep anxiety away.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask with faith, with no doubting"
- James 1:5-6a.

He will help us to know what to do or say when faced with situations, and He will guide us day by day, or in our career. We may spend hours talking with others about these things and forget that God is waiting for us to talk to Him about them. We suffer anxiety because we have not really given Him our worries and left them in His hands, trusting Him to sort things and thanking Him that He will.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:6-7

Faith is the antidote to worry, and if that faith is flagging, we need to do something about it. "If God seems far away, guess who's moved!" Growth in faith is our responsibility - reading the Bible, finding a church and going when you can, joining a home group, having fellowship with other Christians, reading books about it and then putting into practise what we are learning. The best thing for growing faith are the tests we go through - trusting in God when things get tough or feeling shaky and simply hanging on.

As well as praying for the strength to get through our shift, there are other opportunities for prayer at work if we look for them (and pray for them!). Offering to pray for another member of staff, there and then if there is privacy, or assuring them you will be praying for them. Sometimes there is a moment when you can pray with a patient - most of them are anxious about something. Offer to "say a little prayer with them"; most will be grateful and pleased by this act of kindness. Simply put your hand on their shoulder and ask God to bless them and help them in their need. What happens next is up to God, but you have created a doorway for God's touch on that person. Be praying for healing whether it be physical, mental or spiritual, for yourself, your colleagues and especially your patients. We know that illness is God's enemy - Jesus spent most of His time on earth healing people from illness, so by your job as a nurse you are doing something close to God's heart even if sometimes, their ultimate healing is to leave this earth.

Quiet Times
Where do you have yours?

On the loo can be a place for prayer! Shut away in the bathroom gives us the quiet we need. We may be able to go to the chapel if there is one during our break- it is a good way to switch off from work. Some people can cut themselves off whilst in a crowd travelling to work, and pray. Traffic jams are another place. Whilst walking the dog or in our beds last thing at night.

God does want us for Himself though - let's make sure it is somewhere that the focus can be on " Him and me ".

Prayer is our greatest resource, yet can be the one least used. It is hard finding the time for God. We are often tired, rushing to work or trying to relax after a shift. We know that God should come first "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" - Matthew 6:33. Sometimes He can end up getting the dregs of our day, instead of the first fruits. However, He is a God not looking to condemn, but looking to love. When we can set aside a special time especially for Him, He says "Welcome back!" not "Where have you been lately?"

So, we've found the place, we've found the time, what next? Lots of us have a good plan for our quiet times, or we are able simply to worship and be inspired to pray. What we do in our quiet times may change with time, and there are lots of good Bible notes or books available to help us. But on those days when its hard to concentrate, or if you are seeking inspiration it is good to have plan B. Here is one pattern: -

Peace - be silent for a minute or so, still your soul, perhaps repeat the name of Jesus or a Bible verse quietly.

Recall -Think of all those things you can be grateful for and thank God.

Admit - Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of any sin in your life. Say sorry to God, then ask for and accept His forgiveness, remembering that you need to have forgiven others to be forgiven yourself. Do this too if you need to.

Yield - Commit yourself to Him fully, invite Him to be in charge of your day or a particular situation that may be worrying you.

Exalt - Worship God. Reading a Psalm "with great gusto" can help. Using a CD, or concentrating on one of God's attributes.

Relate - Your needs, your family's needs, others needs to God. Pray for the things that come to mind. Using a book to note down your prayer requests can be helpful, as it will remind you to pray consistently for things, and you can also tick them off the when the prayers have been answered - very encouraging!

If you don't normally pray out loud - try it - it's helps concentration no end.