At home and at work

A prayer based on Colossians 3:18 - 4:1

Father,

We confess our struggle with this passage of your word.

We declare you are Lord, but we want free reign in our lives.  Help us to listen to your word.  May we conform our lives to what you say, rather than be shaped by culture or led by our own desires.

May our marriages be shaped by you.

Grant husbands and wives a deep love for each other.  May their love for each other be expressed in steadfast committment to each other.  May we always seek the best of the other.  May we dive into the depth of your word together and encourage each other to be more like Jesus. May husbands lead in a loving, kind way.  May wives submit, as it fitting to the Lord.  Forgive us for when we have got this dynamic wrong.

May our families be shaped by you.

As parents may we discipline and lead our children well.  Forgive us for picking the wrong battles, for majoring on the minors, for not living out your grace in our relationships. Help our children to understand why you ask them to obey.  May they be convinced of your and their parents love for them.

May our work be shaped by you.

As employee or employer; worker or boss, may we work for you.  Help us to see all our work as service to you.  So in the job we do and the way we interact with our colleagues, bring you praise and glory.

We ask these our prayers, with thanks for the powerful, saving name of Jesus.

Amen.