How Do You Pray for the Right Job?

Welcome to another edition of the COVID-19 Devotionals! As we’ve all heard on the local and national news, as a result of the economic upheaval caused by COVID-19,  millions of people are out of work and many are looking for new jobs.

Is it okay if I pray to God for a new job?

The first question I often get when someone is looking for a new job is “Can I ask God to help me find a job?” My answer is “Of course you can!” Scripture teaches us that we can take anything and everything to God. He wants us to ask Him for help. He is happy to provide those things that are in accordance with His will and align with His purpose.

What does that mean?

One simple way to discern what aligns with God’s will and purpose is to look at the Ten Commandments recorded in the Old Testament. If what you pray for doesn’t align with them, then God probably isn’t going to fulfill your request. For example, the 7th Commandment says “You shall not commit adultery.” So that means if you ask for another man’s wife or another woman’s husband, God isn’t going to give her/him to you because that goes against God’s will and conflicts with who He is.

If your prayer goes against the Commandments Jesus spells out in the New Testament then I believe it’s highly unlikely that the Lord will answer your prayer. But otherwise, I’m a firm believer in the power of prayer and that God not only hears our prayers but answers them.

Here are three Bible verses that I believe affirm my understanding of who God is and how He willingly responds to our prayers:

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matthew 21:22

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

1 John 5:14

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

When we pray for something specific, like work, we are asking God to help us directly. So, yes, I believe if you need a job, you can pray to God and ask Him to provide you with that new job. And, I believe God will hear you and answer your prayer. I don’t believe that He always answers our prayers in the time frame or in the way we expect, but I do believe He answers us. I’ve heard it said that sometimes the best answer to prayer God gives us is “No.”

So how do you pray for the right job?

If you need a new job because you have recently lost your job, one way to pray is for God’s discernment in finding new work. You could ask Him to show you who you know in your network that might be able to assist you in getting a new gig. You can pray and ask that the Lord would provide you with new opportunities or an opportunity that is best suited to your particular gifting.

When we look for new work, we can turn to the Lord and ask Him to direct our steps, open doors, and to give us wisdom in seeking a new job. We can ask God to provide us hope and give us guidance. God can, and I believe is willing, to provide us a work role that fits His plan and purpose for us.

So if you find yourself looking for work don’t be discouraged or dismayed, but take your concerns and desires to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to lead you to the right job for you.

Prayer:

Father God, please help those who have recently lost their jobs find new work. Provide for them and their families in the time they find themselves in between their old job and the new one that You have for them. May they find a job that utilizes their talents and gifts well and to the utmost of Your glory. Comfort them, encourage them, and grant them wisdom in the days and weeks ahead as they search for their next work opportunity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you know someone who has recently lost their job due to COVID-19?
2. Have you ever prayed for God to provide you with a new job?
3. How have you seen the Lord answer prayers in your life?

Are you currently praying for a new job?

If you are reading this and you are currently looking for new opportunities or need a new job, there are lots of companies hiring. You can read about them in this LinkedIn article written by LinkedIn Editor Andrew Seaman. #NowHiring

I’m super excited to announce that on Thursday, May 21, 2020, I’ll be a guest on my friend Kathryn McClatchy’s Unleashing the Next Chapter to share my insights on Blogging Essentials. Kathryn and I met a number of years ago when we were both serving on the Board of Directors for our local Writers Guild of Texas. She’s an advocate, coach, consultant, speaker, and writer. Even more, she’s a good friend. I hope you will jot it down in your calendar and make plans to join us.

My prayer is that during this COVID-19 pandemic you stay healthy and safe. It’s certainly a uniquely difficult time for many people around the world. May God shine His favor on you and shower you with His love.

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™

ABOUT: The Devotional Guy™ is a writing ministry of Rainer Bantau, a seasoned gospel preacher, church musician, and chaplain ministering to individuals in their workplaces, to the homeless, and wherever he meets them. He shares helps, hope, and insights on his blog, The Devotional Guy™.

 

Sources:

Bible.org

The Minister’s Bible (2007). Hendrickson Bible Publishing. Peabody, Massachusetts.

Thank you to the wonderful visual artists and photographers at Pexels, Pixabay, and Pixlr.

I believe that to experience life the way God intended, you and I must receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, God has made this gift available to all who ask.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:13

Will you personally receive the gift of eternal life so that you can experience the total forgiveness from your sins that come through believing in the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9