Book Review: On-the-Job-Prayers

    Ellen Wulfhort’s story on “workaholism” prompted me to write this short review of William D. Thomson’s On-The-Job Prayers. Small enough to be tucked in a briefcase, glove compartment, toolbox, or top center desk drawer, this book has one hundred brief reflections on spirituality of work, a quote from scripture, and a short prayer. Each page can be read as a meditation in less time than needed for a coffee break. The index provides quick references for work related issues such as “Monday mornings,” happiness,” and “excellence.”
    Later this weekend, I plan a post on how work can be an addiction and a spiritual path to finding balance on one’s life.  For now, here is an extract

Escaping the Rat Race
    The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” jokes comedienne Lily Tomlin. And the problem with being a rat at work is that it tends to make your home into a rat hole. Work is an important element of family life, whether it is paid work outside or inside the home, unpaid work at home, or volunteer work at church, or in community or civic organizations. If our work is viewed as a necessary evil, a burden to be bone, a “daily grind,” then it cannot help but have a negative impact on family life. If mother or father and/or children deters the work, view it as something that detracts from family life and complain about it all the time, then this attitude is going to permeate family live as well. Conversely, if family members are workaholics or consider their work as the really important part of life, then this too can destroy family life. On the other hand, if work is spiritual, that is, if it is conducted in a balanced manner in line with our deepest convictions and values, then work itself can provide the foundation and even enhance the spirituality of family life.
    -Gregory F. A. Pierce, Spirituality at Work

“Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that god the Father has set his seal.” John 6:27

Workplace Prayer
    Giver and Sustainer of life, you know how hard it is to strike a balance between the time and energy I give to my work and what I seem to have left to give to my family and friends. I need your help to acknowledge the limits of my physical, emotional and spiritual resources, and to use them well in both places. Help me to be aware of your presence and power in my work life and in my life beyond the job. You are the one God, and I am one person made in our image. By your spirit show me how to experience the wholeness of life lived by your Sprit, lived in your love, may my whole life be sustained by you and used by you to make the world a better place. Amen WDT

    Sometimes, it will be helpful develop one's workplace spirituality with the help of a Spiritual director.

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