A Prayer for a New Job

Colossians 3:23-24

Colossians 3:23-24 comes from the apostle Paul’s letter to the believers in Colossae, in a passage addressed to Christians who worked as slaves, telling them to do every task as service to the Lord Christ.

Lord, thank You for this new job. As I start, help me learn quickly and do the work in front of me with my whole heart, as for You and not only for the people watching. Give me patience while I find my way, kindness with my new coworkers, and integrity when no one is looking. Let my work be a way of serving You, Lord Christ. Amen.

The Scripture

“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
— Colossians 3:23-24

Prayer points from Colossians 3:23-24

Thank God for this job and for how He brought you to it.
Ask Him for a quick mind to learn and humility to ask questions.
Pray for your new manager and coworkers by name as you learn them.
Ask for integrity in small things, when no one is watching.
Offer your work to the Lord Christ, as service to Him.
Ask for rest and balance, so the new job doesn’t crowd out what matters most.

About this verse

Paul wrote these words to Christians in Colossae who were slaves, people with little say over their work. He told them to work not only “while they are watching,” but with sincerity of heart, and then gave them a new way to see every task: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men.” Their reward, he said, was an inheritance from the Lord, and “It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Today’s workplaces are very different, but the heart of these verses travels well. Whoever signs your paycheck, the work itself can be offered to Christ: done honestly, done well, done even when no one notices. Starting a new job is a good moment to decide that. This prayer is for anyone starting a new job or a new role.

When to pray this prayer

The night before your first day
On the commute in
Before meeting your new boss or team
When you feel out of your depth
At the end of your first week
When the work feels unnoticed

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