52 Workday Prayers: Psalm 31 - Your Times are in God’s Hand

For I hear the whispering of many—
terror all around!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love.

Psalm 31:13-16

Prayer

Gracious God, things at work are so upsetting. I’m tired of being unappreciated, even mistreated. I’m tired of those who seek to advance at my expense. Their schemes are so disheartening.

Sometimes I wonder where you are, Lord. Do you see what’s going on? Are you still there for me? Will you help me as I struggle in this job? Or will you help me find another one?

Yes, I do worry. Sometimes I doubt you. But, by your grace, I remember your goodness to me. I remember your love. I remember what you have done for me through Christ. Thus, I will put my trust in you. I will lean back into your strong arms. I will say, “You are my God. My times are in your hand.” Yes, my whole life is in your hand. My life belongs to you. I exist for your purposes, your glory. I am yours.

Trusting you, I ask you to deliver me. Let your face shine upon me, dear Lord. Look upon me with love and joy. In your time, you will save me because your love for me never ends. Amen.

Ponder Throughout the Day

Your whole life is in God’s trustworthy hand.

For Further Reflection

Read all of Psalm 31, 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 Matthew:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:25

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This prayer is part of a collection: 52 Workday Prayers: Learn from the Psalms How to Pray through Your Work. To purchase this devotional and small group guide, visit the De Pree Center store.