When talking about integrating your faith and work, we can’t over-emphasize Jesus’ words in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Abiding with Christ is critical for the Christian leader. Many of us were disciplined into prioritizing beginning our day with Him. That is incredibly important. But we must also remember that no matter how rich that time is, it cannot (and isn’t intended to) carry us through our day.

Here are some ideas for practicing God’s presence in prayer throughout your workday.

Orientation Prayers

• Suggestions for preparing for work:
  • Offer your calendar to God. Pray for the people you have appointments with as specifically as possible and for the work you plan to do. Pray for the people that aren’t on your calendar that you may meet. Pray that you will not treat them as interruptions or irritations. Give God permission to reprioritize your day if He wants to.
  • Leverage your commute. As helpful as podcasts can be, use your travel time to pray. Why not designate each day to pray for something specific? Monday – pray for your boss. Tuesday – pray for your coworkers. Wednesday – pray for your clients. You get the idea.

Entry Prayer

• Suggestions for entering your workplace:
  • Remind yourself that your workplace is holy ground. Come up with your own entry prayer and repeat it whenever you swipe your key card. “God you are in this place. Help me to be aware of your presence and respond to your voice.”

Gratitude Focus

Set aside one day a week to express all your prayers as statements of gratitude:

• When frustrated by someone you work with say, “Thank you God, that I don’t have to do this work alone.” Or, “Thank you for _______ and the different perspective they have.”
• When you are stuck, not knowing what to do next, say, “God, I’m grateful that you are right here with me, and you give wisdom to all who ask without finding fault.”
• When you are facing a difficult situation, thank God for providing you this job and for His love for everyone involved in that situation.

If you have 5-10 minutes to during the day

• Lectio Divina:
  • Choose a short passage like John 15:4-5, Col 1:9-12 MSG.
  • Read it twice, listening for a word or phrase that jumps out at you.
  • Read again, paying attention to how this passage intersects your life today.
  • Read it one more time and ask, “Based on this passage, what do I need to do?”

Before a Meeting

• Remember the gospel is at work right now, and remember these things that the gospel makes true: God is Great, so we don’t have to be in control. God is Good, so we don’t have to be afraid of our circumstances. God is Gracious, so we don’t have to prove ourselves. God is Glorious, so we don’t have to look elsewhere.

Concluding your day

• In Genesis, we see that God reflected on His work.
• Take a few minutes at the end of your day to consider where you experienced God.

1. Sit in silence for a moment.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through this time.
3. Review your day.
4. Does any particular event, moment, meeting, or conversation come to mind?
5. Ask God what He would like to reveal to you through that event, moment, meeting, or conversation.
   1. Is there gratitude to express?
   2. Is there a confession you need to make?
   3. Is there a promise you need to claim?
6. Close by praying for your day tomorrow.