A PRAYER FOR LABOR DAY

Oh God, on this day that we have set aside to celebrate the work of our hands, we also celebrate: 
• the time and physical energy we employ in our vocations, 
• the gifts and creative talents that spring from our very beings, 
• the industry that grows from our intelligence honed by education and training, and 
• the opportunities of employment that enables us to enjoy a bountiful life. 

Forgive us when we merely make Labor Day another day of: 
• meaningless observance, 
• purposeless activity, and 
• selfish indulgence. 

Instead, may this day become: 
• an expression of gratitude for the opportunities and blessings that we enjoy daily, 
• a time of reflection on the unmerited grace represented in each of those opportunities and blessings, 
• an occasion for expressing gratitude to our family and friends who enable us and encourage us in our journey through life, and 
• a dawning of compassionate awareness of the multitudes in our world who lack the education, training, and opportunities that we take for granted and who even lack the physical energy to pursue purposeful goals because of poverty, malnutrition, and oppressive circumstances. 

Lord, with Your having worked the work of grace in our lives, may we become instruments of Your grace. May we today put our hands, our time, our energy, our gifts, our minds, our training, and our opportunities under Your control so that our lives may be abundant, not just in material prosperity, but in wealth of heart, soul, mind, and strength. May we this day love You more, and may we love our neighbors near and far in word and in deed as we love ourselves. 

Amen 
[Originally posted on my Facebook page September 7, 2009]