Having a job is indeed a blessing. It provides us with avenues for self-improvement. On a more practical note, it helps us meet our daily needs.
Unfortunately, even if we enjoy what we do at work, every career has its share of unpleasant situations. Paper works piling up. Deadlines are fast approaching. Exhaustion from strenuous physical work. Difficult tasks are engulfing us. Pressure from the boss can alter our peace and disposition. At times, the workplace itself fills us with anxiety and stress.
Prayers for stress at work can keep us grounded and focused during these situations. We express our anxieties in these prayers with the hope that God will hear us and take action. It makes sense that we should turn to God in the face of stress because, with God, it may not be so challenging to handle.
Prayer when overwhelmed with work
Ever-abiding God, You are always with me. You know exactly what I need, even if my lips do not say it. I thank You for the privilege and gift of being able to work. It helps me to develop myself even more and sustain the needs of my daily life.
Lord, You know that I am not always confident in my workplace. There are many times that I feel burdened under the weight of my responsibilities. I feel overwhelmed by the tasks laid before me. I feel pressured to succeed. I fear being a failure in what I do. I am so worried that I may not be up to this task.
The deadlines are approaching. Expectations are so high. My body feels heavy with worry and anxiety. O Lord, I bring all of these to You. Meet me in them. Be with me always. Help me remember that You care for me and these details in my life.
I am having a hard time keeping up with all of these things in my work. I feel vulnerable and weak. But Lord, please lead me to stillness and trust in Your providence. Slow my racing thoughts. Bring me back to my senses so that I could focus more on the task I have now. Do not let my anxiety devour me.
Father, teach me to see these difficult challenges as instruments You use to mold and fortify me. Please help me to be patient and to strengthen my faith through these trying times. I apologize for trying to handle everything on my own. I sometimes lose sight of the fact that You are in charge because of my urge to be in control.
Lord, I care about this work and ask that You help me complete it faithfully. I know You have a good plan for my life and for my work. Grant me the patience, energy, persistence, and courage I need to do this work, and remind me of Your love for me, no matter the outcome.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Short prayer for when work is overwhelming
God our Father, thank You for giving me this job. I ask You to sustain me with patience, diligence, and trust in Your ever-guiding hand. May my work lead me to a life of holiness and goodness. Never let the waves of anxiety, impatience, and mediocrity drown me. May I always give my best all for the glory of Your name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Word of God
Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NRSVUE
Prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker
Beloved Saint Joseph, loving provider of the Holy Family, I come to you in supplication. Your diligence and patience remind me that there is dignity in working. Thank you for your life and examples that every working person can strive to imitate.
At work, I am under a lot of pressure. I am continuously concerned with missing deadlines and not handling the daily things I have to perform well. I have a ton of work to do, both now and in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Sometimes, I want to give up because of the numerous demands and obligations placed upon me. I feel like I have lost all of my strength, and I am having a hard time coping.
Saint Joseph, the burden and responsibility I carry sometimes make me want to give up everything. I seem to have lost the ability and desire to manage my work and all of my obligations. Through your powerful intercession before God, please pray for me to Him that I may use these possible sources of stress and anxiety as tools for self-development and an ever-deeper faith in Him.
Saint Joseph intercede for me that God may grant me calmness and peace of mind. May His grace enable me to avoid concentrating on the challenges I face. May He help me to stay calm and not be fearful of the future. May He remind me that He is in control of everything, even my future and that I can rest in that assurance.
Please enable me to stay focused on God even when I am under pressure at work. Let me not be the stressed-out and unhappy person I am right now, but rather let me be the light in my work. Please make it clear to me that God is greater than any problems I may be experiencing. Remind me that He is stronger than all of my issues and worries.
Saint Joseph, diligent worker, and father, pray for me. Amen.
Further reflection
To have a job is a gift and privilege from God. However, working is not always pleasant and smooth. There are days that we feel unmotivated. There are moments when the tasks assigned to us give us unnecessary problems and worries. Our workplaces can sometimes become a place of stress and anxiety.
When things do not go according to our plan, it is but normal to get stressed. Stress and worrying can sometimes become quite difficult to manage. And so, it is natural for us to turn to God, the source of our strength and motivation. It is only in God that we find peace amid the turmoil in our workplaces.
By reminding ourselves that God is looking over us, prayer can help us overcome any difficulties we may encounter throughout the day. Sometimes all we need is a little faith to keep our spirits up and handle all the difficulties life throws at us.
