ICF - Prayer Focus

Those who work in textile and material manufacture

Sheep farmers, cotton & silk importers, scientists and chemists who produce synthetic materials. Spinners, Weavers, Knitters and those who work in cloth manufacture. Machinery manufacturers, maintenance staff and designers. Dyers, Dye manufacturers, silk screen printers, embroiderers Cloth merchants

Lord God, fabric is such an everyday thing, that we can forget the complex and varied processes that bring it into being. The tiny silkworm patiently spinning its cocoon; the crop of cotton awaiting its harvest; each a reminder of Your faithful presence in creation and our dependence on You. The scientist discovering new forms of thread unpacks and re-combines substances and elements that are of Your making. And each roll of cloth knits and weaves a thousand tiny threads reminding us of that greater whole of which our life and being is a part. So Lord God as we give you thanks for all those people whose labours provide us with the comfort, protection and pleasure of so many types of cloth, may they find fulfilment in all that they do and may we place true value on their endeavours. 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.