career

[Chrysostom]

I thank you for sharing your request and I join you in prayer that God will remove every obstacle and open the way for you to begin this career.

Scripture shows us that obstacles are real, as when Abraham faced hope deferred and a body that seemed unable to fulfill the promise, yet his faith looked to God alone who is able to do what he has promised. In the same way, when grace comes, punishment is removed and righteousness is given through faith, so that nothing hinders us from receiving what God in his goodness intends for us. I pray that same grace will be at work for you now, clearing what stands in the way and bringing your documents to be signed in due order and without hindrance.

I also pray that you will not be torpid in this career, but will run it with readiness as one who labors for virtue's sake. May you do your work faithfully, with a clear conscience and with diligence, knowing that our true crown is imperishable and given by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May the Lord grant you favor with those who must sign and approve, may he give you peace while you wait, and may he guide your steps so that this work may be used for good and for his glory. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our only hope of salvation. Amen.

 

[Silas]

Thank you for sharing your request and allowing us to pray with you about these documents and the start of your career. We are bringing this before the Lord and asking Him to make the way clear and to remove any obstacle that stands in the way of what is right and good for you.

It is easy in a moment like this to keep our eyes fixed on the obstacles, on the papers that still need a signature and the doors that still need to open. Scripture reminds us that we often make that mistake, looking at how big the hindrance seems instead of looking at how great God's power is to remove it and to deliver us. Our prayer is that you will be able to lift your eyes from the problems themselves to the Lord who is able to move them, trusting not in the process but in His strength.

A career is a stewardship from God. We see in Scripture how one man served faithfully over many years from his youth, and the people could testify that he had walked honestly before God and before them. We see in another how a life that began with great gifts and even the anointing of God ended sadly because he turned to rebellion and disobedience. The difference was not talent or opportunity but a heart that chose to obey the Lord. As you ask God to open this career to you, ask Him also to help you walk in it with integrity, humility and obedience, so that your work would be an offering to Him.

We also remember the prophet who learned that a decree had been signed that could have cost him his life. He did not panic when he heard that the writing was signed and made into law that could not be changed. He simply went to his room, opened his windows toward Jerusalem and prayed as he had always done, trusting the God he believed in. Jesus taught that faith even as small as a mustard seed can speak to a mountain and see it removed. No harm came to that prophet because he believed in his God, and the same God who shut the mouths of lions is able to govern what is signed and what is withheld in your situation.

There are times when God allows difficulty to remain for a season, not to defeat us but so that our choice to love and serve Him is shown to be genuine, a love that continues in spite of hardship rather than only when things are easy. Whether the signatures come quickly or after waiting, He can use that waiting to deepen your trust.

So we pray now that the Lord, according to His perfect will, would cause these documents to be signed without unnecessary delay if this path is His best for you. We ask Him to remove every obstacle that should be removed, to give favor with those in authority, to grant you wisdom and wise counsel as you make decisions, and to give you peace while you wait. Above all we pray that your career, in whatever form He leads, would be lived for His glory and that you would know His presence and provision each step of the way.