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O Lord, answer me in my time of trial and distress;

God of my ancestors, listen to my plea.

Do not abandon your humbled servant who is in need.

I know not where to turn in my anxiety;

There is no one but you who knows the anguish I feel.

Hear my prayer, dear God, and make your goodness known to me.

Bless me with the gift and grace of hope, Lord;

Fill me with a sense of confidence and

Strengthen me with the courage I need to endure.

I am afraid and troubled, Lord – I feel as if

The very air I breathe chokes me and causes me worry.

A darkness has surrounded me and holds my spirit hostage.

Send your Spirit to watch over me and motivate me.

Win me over that I might trust your guidance in the days ahead;

Cleanse from me all that fails to assure my tired soul.

Rescue me, living and gracious Lord;

Take my hand outstretched to you in panic.

Calm my every moment and do not let me lose hope in you.

Save me, Lord, from the perils that plague my day,

And the nightmares that deny me rest and sleep.

Embolden my spirit, that I may not fear the challenges ahead of me.

Free me from the snares that I feel have caught me;

Deliver me from all anguish and help lighten the burdens I carry.

With your aid I know I will persevere and triumph.

Do not allow your child to lose heart when tested by life.

Bless me with your incredible gift and grace of hope, Lord,

That I might stand firm in this time of adversity.

I believe – with all my heart –

That I will never be trampled or put to shame

As long as I take shelter in the Lord God.

I beg you, Lord, listen to my prayer;

Do not turn away from me in my need.

Remain for me the true source of strength

And be always ready to ease the burden of my fears.

You alone can free me from the hands

Of those who would darken my soul.

Only in your name and love can I trust;

In you I find shelter from life’s storms.

Loving Lord, in your hands rests my safety,

My spirit lives only because of your mercy.

My being I commend to you forever;

In your goodness I will trust all my life.

With joy and great gladness –

I will sing of the Lord’s glory;

For he has delivered me from all fears.

My ancestors spoke to me of God’s mercy

And how he delivers those who are faithful to him.

My heart knows the Lord will not leave me to ruin;

His mercy and love have set me free.

O Lord, hear again my pleas for your assistance;

Do not hide your heart from mine.

I am dependant on you as the grass needs the rains;

I have no where to turn except to you.

Trusting in your grace and word

I look to you for salvation.

My soul leaps at the sound of your voice;

Let your kindness wash over me.

Ease my fears, Lord and Savior;

Save me from all anxiety – real or imagined.

Lift me from the shadow of all that makes me shudder.

Lord of all that is good;

Lord of all that is just – you are my help.

My fortress, my protection, my strength;

Lord God, shine forth your goodness upon your people!

Rise up, loving judge of all Creation;

Grant your followers all they need

To be your true servants forever;

Bless your people, Lord, with your kindness.

Lord God, your goodness and mercy are known to all;

Bless your servants with compassion and wisdom,

That they may bring your light to those who prefer darkness.

May all the living take notice of your love and help for us!

You crafted our ears that we may hear your voice,

Our eyes that we may witness your goodness.

You bless our feet that we might walk in your light always,

All we have is at your bidding – all praise to the Lord our help!

Blest and happy are those whom you guide, Lord,

Those whom you teach by your instruction and inspiration.

You, Lord God, will never forsake your children

You remain our help through every age, through every moment.

Those who do not believe in your goodness call out

“Who will rise up for me against the wicked?

Who will stand up for me against evildoers?”

They have not opened their hearts to your love, O Lord.

If the Lord were not my help,

I would long ago have passed from this life.

When I say, "I am falling,"

It is your love and goodness, Lord, that holds me up.

When among your people, your comfort gives me joy.

When in your presence, your compassion keeps me safe.

When standing amidst those who conspire against you

It is only you, Lord, who protects me.

The Lord is my security forever;

My God is the rock where I find refuge.

My fortress, my protection, my strength;

Lord God, your goodness washes over your people forever!

Lord God above –

You have blessed us with so many wonderful gifts; our world is filled with your goodness.

There are so many of us, Lord, who are filled with worry and anxiety. Our skills or time have been deemed unnecesssary; we are unable to find work which both allows us to use our talents and provide for ourselves and our families.

Look with your love upon all of the unemployed who seek to bring glory to your name by loving you, themselves, their families, their friends and peers. Help us all to find and maintain gainful employment which challenges us and allows us to participate in advancing the work you began with Creation.

Grant us an encouraging day as we continue to look for the work we feel we are called to do, Lord. Amen.

God our Creator,

To you I offer praise and thanksgiving for all you have provided for me. You have been generous beyond reason, and your goodness surrounds me every day.

Allow me to walk with and for those who are seeking honest work this day. Help us to find the employment we seek; bless all of us with the opportunity to leverage our gifts to the glory of your name. Amen.

Heavenly Father,

You call each of us to your holy work, your great task of creation. We are frustrated and confused when circumstances do not allow us to work as we would like – either at jobs which are fulfilling or work that is justly rewarded. At times, we are unable to find any honorable work; in these moments, we fear for ourselves and our families.

We beg you, giver of all that is good, to grant fair and honest employment to all who seek it. Bless the lives and families of those struggling to make ends meet; guide the efforts of all who are charged with hiring good workers.

Send your Spirit to be with those among us who are desperately looking for work; comfort them and help them find the resolve they need to continue their search and find the work they seek. Amen.

Thank you, Father, for the opportunities of this day. I am grateful for the work I have been allowed to do; for the rewards that have come from my labors, I give you thanks and praise.

I ask your blessings on all who labor in good faith and honest effort – grant them peace of mind and heart. I ask your blessings on all of us who are unable to find meaningful and productive work – fill us with your love, and keep us safe from all harm and anxiety as we look for the work we need to support ourselves and our families.

Bless all who are charged with finding good and productive workers for their businesses; help them to make good decisions in their hiring processes, and to always keep in mind the dignity of each person who comes to them in hope and need. Amen.

Lord God, there are so many among us who wish to deploy the skills of their hands, their backs, their minds, their hearts; but this day finds us unable to find the honest work we are looking for. Bless and guide our attempts to find the employment they seek. Grant that we never lose hope, and that soon we will be able to reap the rewards of our good labor.

And as we journey through the day, help us to keep these sisters and brothers of ours at the front of our minds, that we might - even in our own needs and anxieties - discover ways to help them in their efforts.

Grant that those who are working do not forget the challenges we face in our efforts to find work. May the work of their hands help the unemployed to find encouragement this day. Amen.