Labor Day Prayers

Intercessions for Labor Day

(Adapted from the Blog “Into the Expectation” by Fr. Matt Gunter, with gratitude)

V: Heavenly Father, you created all that is and call us to work and care for it.

R: Bless the work of our hands and hearts as we create in our several ways.

V: Word of God, you became flesh to reconcile and restore all things.

R: Bless the work of our hands & hearts as we heal & repair what is broken.

V: Holy Spirit, you teach us all things and give us grace to serve.

R: Bless the work of our hands and hearts as we teach and serve others.

V: Holy Trinity, one God in Three Persons:

R: Remind us that we live by the labor of one another.

V: For all those who work:

R: Bless the work of our hands and hearts.

R: For those who are unemployed or underemployed:

R: Lead us to fruitful employment.

V: For those who are overworked or underpaid:

R: Lead us to Sabbath rest and justice.

V: For those who balance job commitments with the needs of their families:

R: Grant us wisdom and patience.

V: For those who are retired from regular work:

R: Grant us rest from our labor and lead us to fruitful endeavors.

V: Let us pray for our own needs, and those of others…

Intercessions are offered silently or aloud

The Collect for Labor Day

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.