Hump Day Prayer . . . Budge Cuts & Layoffs

In solidarity with those who are in the process of making some very difficult decisions and to those who are effected by them. For more information see the PC (USA) News Service article, Decisions near on budget cuts, layoffs: PC(USA) leaders trying to trim $9.15 million from spending blueprint ‘in a pastoral manner’.

For Those in Commerce and Industry

Almighty God,
your Son Jesus Christ dignified our labor
by sharing our toil.
Be with your people where they work;
make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land
responsive to your will;
and to all of us,
give pride in what we do
and a just return for our labor;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer # 72, Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, Litanies and Prayers for Various Occasions: Prayers for the Social Order, [740]

For the Unemployed

Gracious God,
we remember before you
those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work.
Guide the people of this land
so to use our wealth and resources
that all persons may find suitable and fulfilling employment
and receive just payment for their labor;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer # 122, Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, Litanies
and Prayers for Various Occasions: Prayers for the Human Condition, [790]

Litany of Life’s Transitions

Prayers for Job Loss
In times of financial hardship in a congregation, with many who are out work, this prayer may serve as prayers of the people. The prayer may be followed with the Prayer of Our Savior/Lord’s Prayer and the Passing of the Peace.

Invitation
The loss of a job is a wound to identity
and self-confidence in our culture,
which often values a person according to his or her career.
The loss of a job is also a source of
financial vulnerability,
family friction,
and danger to health and
future through the loss of insurance and pension.
Let us speak,
aloud or in our hearts,
the first names of those who come to mind
who in the past have been without work
or who have been fired or laid off.
Speak and listen.

(There is a time when person’s names may be spoken.)

Listen; hear the names.
We are particularly sensitive to those
who may be among us who may be facing this situation now.
May they know the cloud of witnesses who,
with God’s help, survived this difficult time.

Prayer
God, we seek your strength and healing
for those who are facing job loss now.
Help each person so affected to claim with assurance
his or her precious value as God’s child.
Draw families together and
knit around them support and care.
Some of us are threatened by homelessness,
uninsured medical bills,
or inability to provide for children.
Confirm in our spirits your promise
that for every empty bucket,
there is living water,
for every empty net,
a miraculous catch,
for every empty noontime,
a lunch of loaves and fish.
Amen.

United Church of Christ, Ways We Worship and Resources,
http://www.ucc.org/worship/witgf/resources/moments/mom3.pdf