ICF - Prayer Focus

Those who work in the provision of utilities

Gas, water and sewage pipeline engineers; staff at powerstations, gas works and those who manage and maintain reservoirs, dams, boreholes and waterways; manufacturers and providers of mobile and landline phones, network maintenance staff and internet service providers; those who design and maintain wind farms, hydro-electric schemes and research and develop other sources of renewable energy; oil and gas rig staff and support workers, those who work with nuclear power and those who face difficult decisions about the future sources of our energy. Staff of National Grid and emergency call-out engineers; sewage engineers and maintenance staff, meter readers, call centre staff and those who manage the provision of utilities.

All seeing God, we turn on our taps, switch on the light and take for granted the energy, clean water and communications that have become part of our everyday lives. We tend only to notice the army of people that make it happen when things go wrong, and can easily forget the dangers they face as they travel to remote and hostile places, face blizzard and storm to restore broken lines, and constantly strive to meet our ever increasing demand while seeking to protect the earth's fragile resources. We realise too that there are many places in the world where the services that we consider essential are still a distant dream. May we always be grateful for that which we have, use it responsibly and show due appreciation to those who provide it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Regular prayer for the world of work can be a significant feature in Sunday services. ICF seeks to provide a variety of resources to help those who prepare these. Prayer of this nature is important because:

• It encourages Christians to see their working lives as part of their Christian Identity
  
  
• It helps those involved in the world of work, particularly when their job makes it difficult to participate in church activities, to feel affirmed and valued.
  
  
• It is a vital part of our intercessory responsibility to the community around us.
  
  
• It communicates a faith that is relevant to real issues to those who visit our churches
  

Each week, we highhlight different groups of workers and encourage our members and followers to particularly pray for people who work in that sector. We also encourage local churches to include regular prayers for the world of work

As you pray, Consider what might be said in the context of thanksgiving, confession and intercession, both for the workers concerned and for those present.