Prayer request

[Anonymous]

Dear family, Please pray with me to Jesus for solutions. I have been out of work for a while but am returning to work but I need two references, I was treated badly in my old job because I'm disabled, and I wouldn't ask them for a reference, and I'm not sure who to give as references. I think I have one but need to check, not sure about the other, there's one person who might give a reference but I'm unsure of myself. Would you pray with me, I ask Jesus to intercede to God for help and ideas and a way forward. Amen

 

[Articles]

We join you in prayer and thank you for reaching out to us to seek Jesus together for wisdom and provision as you return to work. We are encouraged that you are turning to Jesus to intercede for you, for He is our mediator and advocate before the Father.

We understand the anxiety of needing references after being treated badly in a previous job, especially when that treatment was because of your disability. The Lord sees what you endured and He values you deeply. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, Psalm 139:14, and His grace is sufficient for you, for His power is made perfect in weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9. He does not define you by disability or by how others have treated you, but as His beloved child.

We also take comfort that God promises to guide and provide for those who trust Him. We are reminded in Proverbs 3:5-6 to trust in Yahweh with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths. And in Philippians 4:6-7 we are told in nothing to be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, to let our requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. He also promises in Philippians 4:19 that our God will supply every need of ours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. And in Isaiah 41:10 He says do not be afraid, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.

We pray together with you now.

Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We thank You for our dear sibling who is seeking to return to work after a difficult season. Lord, You know the hurt they experienced in their old job and the uncertainty they now feel about references. We ask You to lead them clearly to the right people to ask. Give them confidence to approach the one person they have in mind, and confirm whether that person is willing and suitable. Provide the second reference they need, whether it be a former colleague, a character reference, a pastor or church leader, a volunteer coordinator, or someone else who knows their character and work ethic. Open doors and soften hearts, and grant favor with this new employer, that they would understand their situation and be gracious. Grant our sibling peace that surpasses understanding, courage where they feel unsure of themselves, and wisdom for each step forward. Help them to remember that they work ultimately for You, for whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23. We ask that You make a way forward where it now seems unclear, and that You would be glorified in this new opportunity. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

We encourage you to take that step of checking with the one person you have in mind, even if you feel unsure. A simple, honest request explaining that you are returning to work and value their support can be enough, and God can use even a character reference from someone who knows your integrity, reliability and kindness. If you have a pastor, elder, or someone from a community or volunteer setting who knows you well, they can often serve as a reference when a previous employer is not appropriate to ask. We also encourage you to be at peace about not asking those who mistreated you, that is a wise boundary.

We trust that God who is guiding you back into work will also supply what you need for this process. Keep seeking Him, keep praying in Jesus name, and He will direct your paths.

 

[hostadmin]

We are praying with you as you step back into work after being away for a while. That takes courage, and we understand why the reference part feels so heavy right now. After being treated badly in your last job because of your disability, it makes complete sense you would not want to ask them, and that you would feel unsure about who to turn to instead.

It is good you already have one person in mind and another who might be willing. A clear next step that often helps is to check in with both of them directly this week, even with a short message or call. You could simply ask if they would be comfortable to be listed as a reference and what contact details they would like you to use. That will give you a definite answer instead of having to keep wondering. If you need another option, sometimes a former coworker who knew your work well, a volunteer supervisor, or a pastor or other person who has seen your character over time can be a suitable reference when an employer reference is not possible.

We are asking God to give you steady confidence and a clear way forward, and to bring kind, willing people alongside you in this process.

Father, we lift our friend to You in Jesus' name. Give wisdom for each conversation, peace in the waiting, and guidance toward the work You have for them. Provide what is needed and remind them they are seen and valued by You. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

Your request has been brought before the Lord and we count it a privilege to join you in prayer to our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Intercessor.

We have heard your burden concerning work and the need for references, and the trial of having been treated badly in your former place because of your disability. It is a painful thing to be despised or harshly handled where you should have found fairness, and the Lord sees and knows this sorrow. Like Job, you have known what it is to be misunderstood and to suffer loss, yet the Scriptures show us that God did not forsake His servant, and in due time He turned his captivity.

You do well to bring this matter of references to the Lord in childlike confidence. Our Saviour teaches us not to be torn apart with anxious care about temporal affairs. Anxiety has never brought meal to the barrel nor fitted a man to meet his difficulty, indeed it often unfits us for the very duty we have to do. Be prudent and do what wisdom suggests, and then cast your care upon Him who cares for you. The Lord who guided Job through his ashes and who guides every soul that takes Him for its Guide will give you principles and providence to direct your steps.

We will pray that He will make your way plain. As you consider whom to ask, go first to the one you believe you have, and seek a clear answer whether they are willing and able to speak for you. For the second, think of any who have seen your character and faithfulness apart from that former employer, perhaps a colleague who knew your work, a minister or church officer, a volunteer leader, a teacher or tutor, or one who has known you in service of any kind. It is right to ask humbly and plainly, and to give them leave to answer honestly. If the person you have in mind who might help is uncertain to you, you may still respectfully ask whether they would be comfortable to serve in this way, and the Lord will order the answer according to His wisdom. Haste often brings mischief, so take time to pray and then act with calm dependence upon God.

Let us pray together.

O gracious Father, we come to You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, who ever lives to make intercession for us. You know this Your child, You know the disability borne, the unkindness suffered, the season out of work and the desire now to labour faithfully again. Lord, turn not away Your ear, but look with compassion upon this need for references and for a way forward. Grant wisdom to know whom to ask, favour with those who are asked, and grace to speak with clarity and humility. Provide what is needed for honest employment, and let no weapon formed by former unkindness hinder what You would open. Keep this heart from fretting anxiety and settle it in patient trust, as You kept Job, that in all this there may be no charging You foolishly, but worship even while waiting. Lead by Your counsel, and afterward receive to glory, for we ask all in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged that our longest sorrows have a close when God has accomplished His end in them. He can support you as He supported Job, and He will not leave you without a guide. Continue to seek Him, do what lies before you with diligence, and leave the outcome in His hands. We are remembering you before the throne of grace.

 

[flora]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.