Text Box:   Developing prayers for the world of work   Although we include a short prayer each week for the particular aspect of work that is in focus, we hope that individuals and groups might also use this as a resource to develop their own prayers. This page offers some ideas which can either be used as a guide for personal reflection, or as a framework to develop prayers for use in a public context.   Thanksgiving and affirmation                 How and where do people in this profession impact your life or the life of society in general?               Where does this present opportunities for thanksgiving to God?                 If the absence of need of this particular area of work is a positive thing, in what way can we               give thanks for this? Can we express thanksgiving on behalf of those who do benefit from               this aspect of work?                 Are there aspects of the nature of God, the Gospel and the mission of the Church that               resonate with this profession or area of work? How does this affect our understanding of it?                 Are there incidences of this particular profession or area of work within the Biblical               narratives? What do these say to us?   Confession and Challenge                        Are there aspects of this particular area of work which we have  taken for granted or about               which our Christian identity has caused us to instinctively take a negative view? Does this               give cause for confession? In what ways might God want to challenge our attitude?                 Does society attach particular social stigmas or values to this area of work for which we               need to confess? Have we allowed those attitudes to influence our own thinking?                 Does our need for this particular role in society reflect shortcomings amongst us all that we               need to confess?                 Are there actions we have taken that have been critical or negative towards people engaged               in this area of work? Do we need to confess this?                 Are there issues or attitudes arising from this area of work that, as God’s people, we need to               challenge? What is our prophetic role?   Intercession                 Are there current issues of which we are aware that particularly impact individuals engaged               in this particular area of work? How can we pray about these?                 Are there recognisable challenges or dangers that are faced by people engaged in this area               of work?                 How can you pray for the clients and other beneficiaries of this area of work?                 Are there particular issues, challenges or temptations that might confront Christians               engaged in this area of work? How can we pray for them?                 Do you know particular individuals who are engaged in this area of work? What are their               needs?                 Are there individuals with expertise or experience in this area of work who have something               to share that can inform our understanding? How could they contribute to the worship and               prayers of our church community?    

Text Box:   Industrial Christian Fellowship - Worship resources