Churches are welcome to use this prayer as part of their Labor Day service (Sept. 5)

O God of Labor and God of Rest, we turn to you this Labor Sunday. We remember that you bring people out of slavery and call us to sabbath rest. We remember that you call those in power to compensate workers well and to give them rest.  

Bless those whose labors bring us comfort – bless farm workers and factory workers, bless delivery drivers and bus drivers; bless sanitation crews and restaurant workers.  

Bless those whose labors keep us well – bless nurses and firefighters, bless hospital custodians and therapists, bless pharmacy techs and EMTs. 
 

Bless those whose labors are unseen.  

 

Bless those for whom one job is not enough to live. 

 

Bless those whose labor is care for children, elders, and people with disabilities – whether paid or unpaid.   

 

Bless those who do their work with diligence and compassion. Bless those who do their work just to get by.  

 

On this Labor Sunday, O God, draw our attention to the labors around us. Open our hearts to the workers around us. Open our minds to the power we hold: to join together, to do right by those in our employ, to speak up. Remind us that we are accountable to one another and to You. 

Photo by Carlos Magno on Unsplash