ICF - Prayer Focus

Academics and those who work in higher education

University vice-chancellors, proctors, professors, tutors, lecturers, readers, researchers, bursars and porters; staff of the Open University; principals and teachers of specialist colleges for music, drama and dance; catechists; staff of theological colleges and Bible study courses; members of regulatory bodies; members of examining boards. Staff of research organisations; student welfare officers and providers of support services to students.

All knowing God, You call us to love You with heart, soul and all of our minds; our search for knowledge takes us deeper into a universe that You have made; so we thank you for those who stretch and extend human intellect, for in so doing they increase our capacity to know and worship You. May our institutions of learning be communities of harmony where knowledge is not perceived as a possession, but celebrated as a gift from You. And so may each use their knowledge; great or small; broad or intensely specialist for the greater good of all people and the purposes of Your Kingdom. Through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all the earth and everything within it. 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.