Bible-based prayers for “Work and studies”, to read or listen to.
Before starting work
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Lord of every workday, before I begin I put this day in your hands. May your light be upon me, and may you establish the work of my hands. I want to do my work with a good attitude and not just to be seen by others. Give me focus in my tasks, patience with people and honesty in every detail. When something goes wrong, help me stay calm. When something goes well, remind me to thank you. May the way I work be a service to you and a help to others. Bless my coworkers and those who depend on what I do today. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Faithful God, I have been looking for work for a while, and sometimes I get discouraged. I send out applications, wait for answers, and the silence weighs on me. You know my needs and those of my household. I commit my way to you and choose to trust you while I keep doing my part. Open doors I cannot see and close the ones that are not good for me. Give me clarity to present myself well, humility to accept advice and the will not to give up. May this time of waiting not rob me of dignity or hope. Remind me that my worth does not depend on a job title. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Lord of all wisdom, I have an exam and I'm nervous. I have studied as best I could, though I feel it isn't enough. You give wisdom, and from you come knowledge and understanding; today I ask you for them. Clear my mind, help me remember what I learned and read each question calmly. Take away the fear that blocks me and give me serenity. Keep me from the temptation to cheat; I want to be honest even if the result isn't what I hope for. Whatever my grade, I know you are still with me and that my life is not measured by an exam. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Father of peace, there is a person at work I find it very hard to get along with. Sometimes they treat me badly, ignore me or make me feel small. My first reaction is to respond in kind, but I know that a gentle answer turns away wrath, while a harsh word stirs up anger. Give me self-control to keep quiet when it is best and courage to speak respectfully when necessary. Help me pursue peace. Guard my heart from resentment and from speaking badly of them behind their back. If there is injustice, give me wisdom to seek help in the right way. Bless that person too. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
Jesus, I am exhausted. The work keeps piling up, the demands never stop and I feel I can't keep up with everything. It is hard for me to switch off even when I rest. You invited your tired disciples to come away with you and rest a while, and here I am. Teach me a way of living that isn't measured by how much I produce. Help me set healthy limits, ask for help and say no when I need to. Give me restful sleep and moments of true repose. May my identity not depend on my performance, but on your love. Thank you that at your side I can rest. Amen.
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
My God, I am facing an important decision for my professional future. I am thinking about starting something new or changing direction, and I don't know if this is the time. I plan my way, but I know that you direct my steps. Put my thoughts in order and free me both from haste and from paralyzing fear. Help me listen to good advice, weigh things prudently and be honest in every dealing. I don't ask you for guaranteed success, but to do your will with what you have given me. If the door opens, give me courage; if it closes, give me peace. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
