Day 23

Prior to having children and before I met Jesus I worked in the banking industry. In 1991, when our son Evan was born, my husband and I decided I would leave my job and stay home to be a mom. At the time I was an assistant vice president and branch manager of a fairly large branch and found great satisfaction in my work. I really enjoyed staying home, but I struggled when someone would ask me, "What do you do?" My response was somewhat hum-drum, "I just stay at home with my son." I don't know when it changed, maybe after our son Adam was born, but I was phoning in an order of some sort and the woman asked me what my occupation was. I responded, "I am the CEO of our home." We chuckled together but she assured me she would list it. I didn't create that term, I had heard it somewhere but I began to believe the work I was doing by staying at home with our children was of great importance. For those who work inside or outside the home, we are ministers everywhere we work and play.

Day 23
The Ministry of Intercessory Prayer by Andrew Murray

What to Pray: For the Holy Spirit in Your Own Work

"To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me" (Colossians 1:29). Each of us has our own work to do each day, however secular or ministry-oriented it may be. It is where God has placed us. We are ministers wherever we are. We are witnesses of His grace and mercy. Make your place of work a place of intercession for those around you. Paul labored, striving according to the working of God in him. Remember, God is not only the Creator but also the Sustainer of all. You can do your daily work effectively only in His strength and by His working in you through the Spirit. Be an example of hard work and patient understanding of the trials and difficulties of others. Co-workers will sense that you have a source of strength and energy that they do not. This can be a platform of testimony for you.

Use your spare moments to pray for those who are over you and any who may work for you. Especially remember those who labor in the church, however solitary or unknown they may be.

How to Pray: In God's Very Presence

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8).

The nearness of God gives confidence and power in prayer. He is never far from us, but waits for us to draw near to Him, to confess any sin and to be cleansed afresh. When our hearts are pure before Him we can focus on the needs of others. It is easy to pray in faith when we know God is near and waiting and there is nothing between us and Him. When God first draws us into the school of intercession, it is as much for us as it is for others. It trains us to love and wait and pray and believe. Learn to rely on His presence, to be assured of it. Then bring your work to Him, your co-workers, your successes, and your failures. Intercede for those souls who do not know Him, but who know you and with whom you are in contact every day. Your compassion for them will grow, and God will equip you to minister to them in their times of special need.

Your Own Prayer Requests:

~That the work you do, inside our outside of the house, will impact others for the kingdom of God.
~That you will have His eyes to see the needs of others, His heart to care and His ears to hear their concerns.

At times I have heard women say, "I just pray." If God has called you to serve Him, (BTW, he has called each one of us to serve Him), please remove the word "just" from your vocabulary. Used in the context of work or service "just" diminishes the work He has called you to. Wherever we work, pray for those in our sphere of influence. If you are a stay at home mom, your home and neighborhood may be your sphere to influence. As you pray, please remember the single mom doing double and triple duty to accomplish all that needs to be done for her work, her home and her children.