When You’re Afraid You Might Lose Your Job

Chattanooga Faith + Work + Culture is happy to provide resources to help you invite the Lord into your work life. Each week we will be posting a prayer and reflection from Mark D. Roberts who is the executive director of Fuller Theological Seminary’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership. We pray that you are encouraged and empowered for the work that God has set before you.

The Max De Pree Center for Leadership has many resources for you and we would encourage you to explore what they have to offer. You can also purchase these prayers for your personal devotions here.

SCRIPTURE

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;

O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.

Psalm 6:2

PRELUDE

If you’ve ever been afraid that you might lose your job, you know how scary this can be. There’s much to fear: embarrassment in front of your colleagues, loss of opportunity, worry about whether you can find a new job or not, and distress over how you’re going to pay your bills.

You may be feeling this fear today, though I hope not. But, even if you don’t relate to this fear, then you might pray the following prayer, not for yourself, but for others. Perhaps you have a friend who is worrying about losing their job. Or you may think of folks in your church, your city, or in an industry that is struggling. You can lift up this prayer on their behalf.

PRAYER

Be gracious to me, O Lord. Yes, be gracious! I need your help because I’m feeling so anxious, so afraid I’m about to lose my job. I worry about what people will think of me. I worry about how I’m going to pay the bills. I’m fearful that I won’t be able to find a good job, or that this layoff will tarnish my record.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, and help me to trust you. Let me know that my life is in your strong and tender hands. Give me confidence in your goodness and provision.

Be gracious to me, O Lord. When fear has me in its grasp, deliver me. Fill me again with your perfect love that casts out fear. Be my rock, my fortress, my protector. Amen

PONDER THROUGHOUT THE DAY

God’s grace is rich beyond measure. God’s grace is there for you today.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

Read all of Psalm 6, paying attention to what the Spirit of God is stirring up in your heart, especially in relationship to your work. Talk with God about what you are thinking and feeling. You might also reflect on the following passage from the Psalms:

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—

they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4