ICF - Prayer Focus

Those who work in tourism & travel

Hoteliers, guest house proprietors and staff, providers of self-catering accommodation, travel agents, couriers, youth hostel wardens, providers of activity and study holidays. Those who work on caravan and holiday parks, hotel and caravan safety inspectors National Trust remunerated and voluntary staff, sightseeing tour operators, paid and voluntary staff of steam railways, tourist information providers and compilers of phrase books.

Lord God, it's easy to believe that working to provide the things that we enjoy is less arduous than other forms of work, but we recognise that those involved in tourism often work long and unsociable hours. Rest and recreation is part of your purpose for us, but as we enjoy it, help us to do so in a way that does not take for granted or make things more difficult for those whose work involved providing it for us. Help those of us involved in tourism to remember that hospitality is a God-given ministry, and to undertake our task sensing that reality. 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.