Prayers of the People/Intercession on Work
Blessing for Those Who Labor
This prayer may be offered with or without the congregational response. Due to its length, consider using two or more liturgists to lead the prayer.
VOICE ONE:
Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, you declared your work good and so do we. Empower us to
continue your good work through the labor of our minds and hands.
VOICE TWO:
This Labor Day Weekend, pour out again your blessing and strength on all who labor.
On those who make it possible for us to have food on our tables:
Farm workers, truckers, grocers, cooks, and restaurant employees
ALL: Bless and strengthen, O Lord
VOICE ONE:
Bless and strengthen those who labor to keep us healthy:
Doctors, nurses, technicians, researchers, and medical manufacturers
ALL: Bless and strengthen, O Lord
VOICE TWO:
Bless and strengthen those who inspire us and lead us to greater good:
Inventors and explorers
Religious leaders and teachers
Writers, artists, and advocates
ALL: Bless and strengthen, O Lord
VOICE ONE:
Bless and strengthen those who facilitate needed products and services:
Office workers, managers, and administrators
Retail workers and those who make deliveries
Bankers, lawyers, politicians, and accountants
ALL: Bless and strengthen, O Lord
VOICE TWO:
Bless and strengthen those who make our lives easier and safer by the sweat of their brow:
Warehouse workers, construction workers
Janitors and sanitation workers
Police officers, firefighters, and those who serve in the armed forces
ALL: Bless and strengthen, O Lord
VOICE ONE:
Bless and strengthen those who work with the poor, the abused, the dangerous, and the dying
Social workers, counselors, and therapists
Hospice workers and corrections officers
Those who work in shelters, soup kitchens, and halfway houses
ALL: Bless and strengthen, O Lord
The congregation is invited to offer their own prayers
VOICE TWO:
We ask all these blessings in the strong name of Jesus,
the Carpenter of Nazareth, the Rabbi of Galilee, who taught us to pray
Finish with all praying The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing for Those Who Labor © 2011, updated 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Blessing for Those Looking for Work
Option: Those who are looking for work are invited to stand. Persons may also stand on behalf of a friend or loved one who is looking for work. Those seated around them lay a hand of blessing and support on them for the remainder of the prayer.
One who creates
One who provides
One who sustains
Glory to your Holy Name
Pour out your blessing and care
On those who are unemployed or underemployed
Guard them against discouragement and discrimination
Relieve them of worry and anxiety
Meet their needs for home and health
Come quickly with a living wage at a fulfilling job with a trustworthy employer
The congregation is invited to offer their own prayers
We ask all this trusting in your life-giving power
We ask all this confident in your abiding love
We ask all this in the name of Jesus, our Savior forever
Option: Finish with all praying The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing for Those Looking for Work © 2011, updated 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
A Labor Day Prayer for Equity
This prayer may be offered with or without the congregational response. Due to its length, consider using two or more liturgists to lead the prayer.
VOICE ONE:
God of Creation, God of Life,
In your justice
In your mercy
Bring equity to workers across your world
VOICE TWO:
End the suffering of those who work in dangerous facilities
who toil in poison, heat, and filth
who labor long hours for tiny wages
because of our addiction to low-cost goods
ALL: Lord in your mercy, make all things new
VOICE ONE:
End the suffering of those who’ve had their culture destroyed
Their health destroyed
Their land destroyed
because we’ve rewarded destructive business practices
ALL: Lord in your mercy, make all things new
VOICE TWO:
End the suffering of all who labor as slaves
End this evil and the evil apathy within us
Free them and free us now
ALL: Lord in your mercy, make all things new
VOICE ONE:
Dawn a new day of integrity and servant leadership across every land
On those who own corporations
On those who manage them
On those who benefit from them
Fill them and fill us with courage and conviction to do the right thing
ALL: Lord in your mercy, make all things new
The congregation is invited to offer their own prayers
VOICE TWO:
Jesus, you hear the cries of the oppressed and so do we
Inspire us for the common good
Fill us with wisdom for sustainable and just solutions
so workers of all nations mutually prosper
so workers of all nations are treated fairly and with dignity
so workers of all nations experience lasting peace and plenty
ALL: Amen
A Labor Day Prayer for Equity © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Prayer for Commerce and Industry
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life
shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your
people where they work; make those who carry on the industries
and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give
to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
O God, you have bound us together in this bundle of life;
give us grace to understand how our lives depend upon
the courage, the industry, the honesty, and the integrity of our fellows;
that we may be mindful of their needs,
grateful for their faithfulness and faithful in our responsibilities to them;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reinhold Niebuhr
O Lord, we remember before you
all the workers of the world:
Workers with hand or brain:
Workers in cities or in the fields:
Those who go forth to toil and those who keep house:
Employers and employees:
Those who command and those who obey:
Those whose work is dangerous:
Those whose work is monotonous or mean;
Those who can find no work to do:
Those whose work is the service of the poor
Or the healing of the sick
Or the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ
At home or in foreign places.
John Baillie, Language adapted for Contemporary Worship by Stuart Strachan Jr.
Episcopalian Prayers of the People, Form V
Deacon or other leader
In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy”
(or “Kyrie eleison”).
For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth
and love, and be found without fault at the day of your
coming, we pray to you, O Lord.
Here and after every petition the People respond
Kyrie eleison. or Lord, have mercy.
For N. our Presiding Bishop, for N. (N.) our own Bishop(s),
for all bishops and other ministers, and for all the holy people
of God, we pray to you, O Lord.
For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our
divisions may cease, and that all may be one as you and the
Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may
preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, O
Lord.
For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost
their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel, we
pray to you, O Lord.
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and
forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray
to you, O Lord.
For those in positions of public trust [especially ],
that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and
freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord.
For all who live and work in this community [especially
____________], we pray to you, O Lord.]]
For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use
of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from
poverty, famine, and disaster, we pray to you, O Lord.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for
refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may
be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord.
For this congregation [for those who are present, and for
those who are absent], that we may be delivered from
hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all that we
do, we pray to you, O Lord.
For our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all
whom we have injured or offended, we pray to you, O Lord.
For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the
grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O
Lord.
For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for
our families, friends, and neighbors; that being freed from
anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health, we pray to
you, O Lord.
For ___________, we pray to you, O Lord.
For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and
those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the
saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain
or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of [the ever-blessed Virgin Mary,
(blessed N.) and] all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another,
and all our life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.
Silence
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect, or the following Doxology
For yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and
for ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Episcopalian Prayers of the People, Form VI
The Leader and People pray responsively
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who
are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the
needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For [N. our Presiding Bishop, and N. (N.) our Bishop(s); and
for] all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence
The People may add their own thanksgivings
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in
your eternal kingdom.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Leader and People
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Prayer for Agriculture
Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Prayer for the Unemployed
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer
want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this
land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find
suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment
for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)
Prayer for Towns and Rural Areas
Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas [especially ___________]; and grant that all the people of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)