Prayers for the sincere job seeker

David’s humble confession

Maybe you haven’t been living as you should. Here is what David prayed after Nathan the prophet informed him of God’s anger over David’s adultery with Bathsheba, then his murder of her husband. If God can forgive that, He can forgive anything you might have done. But notice how David humbly takes full responsibility for his actions and pleads with God to create in him a new hope.

O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. Wash me and cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. I admit my shameful deed. It haunts me day and night. It is against You and You alone that I sinned and did this terrible thing. You saw it all. Your sentence against me is just. Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Don't toss me aside, banished forever from Your presence. Don't take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey You (Psalm 51:1-17).

Pleading with Him

Samuel, who would grow up to write several books of the Bible as well as lead Israel as one of its wisest judges, was conceived after his mother – who the doctors had said was unable to have children – prayed fervently for a baby. She knew that God was able to grant her request – and so she returned day after day to present her request before Him. Her prayer demonstrated her faith by including a vow for her future.

O Lord Almighty, if You will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:10-11).

If Hannah didn’t offend God by asking for a baby boy, then you are not going to offend God by asking for a job.

How should we pray?

The job seeker may wonder what type of prayer arouses God’s attention and gets results. There’s no magic formula. The bottom line is the Creator of the Universe loves you and delights in hearing from you. So, just talk to Him as you would your dad. Be respectful. Remember, this is the guy who with the wave of His hand caused the Universe to spring into being. He knows your needs before you speak them.

But He wants to hear from you, his beloved, his finest creation. You were created in His image. You’re the apple of His eye.

An effective prayer is nothing more or less than direct communication with Him. Throughout the Bible, prayer made the vital difference for the person seeking help. Here are a few examples.

Our Father

Here, in Jesus’ own words is how we’re supposed to pray. It goes by many names, such as the “Our Father” or “The LORD'S Prayer.” A more accurate name is “The Model Prayer,” since this is how Jesus said we should pray. He didn’t tell us to use these exact words every time – no, your prayer needs to be heart-felt and in the same tone as this prayer.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done -- on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

How does this prayer have anything to do with job hunting? Did you notice the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread”? Jesus instructed us to ask Him to take care of us day by day. So, be specific. Tell Him about the job. Tell Him how much you need work. Be honest and humble.

Seek Him!

The common thread that you can see in these prayers is how each person just talked to God – sincerely, humbly. As you talk to Him, remember that nothing is too difficult for God. Nothing is off limits. Talk to Him. Tell Him about your need.

One of the greatest people who ever lived is St. Francis of Assisi. Here is what he said was his favorite prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, not so much to be understood as to understand, not so much to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

Let that be your prayer, too, as you seek that great new job. Follow St. Francis’ example and you’re going to be one heck of an employee.