Praying for Your City’s Unemployed
Unemployment is a complex and challenging community problem. Much creativity, commitment and care is needed to address the needs and situations of the unemployed. God has gifted normal people with abilities and skills for working. But not all people have had encouragement, opportunities, affirmation, training and experience in learning to work. Thus different people have varied worldviews about what work is, who should work, why work and how to work. The astounding statistics about satisfaction and fulfillment among workers say that as many as 3 out of 4 people do NOT LIKE the work they are presently doing. The Biblical perspective is that work is a gift from God, as part of a life-calling from Him, in order to fulfill His purposes in the earth. And working is not just about what we do, but also our reason for working (because of our love for God), our attitude in working (to serve God) and our purpose for working (to please God and to honor Him). As you pray for the unemployed in your city, PRAY for them to be equipped to work in God’s ways:
Governments
- Thanking God for the availability of government programs
- Praying for programs which produce independent workers
- Praying for collaborative programs with the private sector
Companies and Businesses
- Praying for a responsible mindset toward the unemployed
- Praying for creative programs for new and beginner workers
- Praying for thorough evaluation for wise, worker placement
Schools and Training Centers
- Praying for practical programs for the chronic unemployed
- Praying for creative programs for special needs people
- Praying for wise and caring leaders to motivate the needy
Support Systems for the Unemployed
- Praying for the families of the unemployed to respect, rather than reject, the person who needs a job, and is struggling
- Praying for the unemployed to want and to accept help
- Praying for churches to coordinate support with employers
- Pray for God’s provision for any unemployed persons you know of in your family, church or community
Cover Design by Vernon Franklin, Scripture quotations are from various translations
Published by Ernie Frederick Copyright @ 2013