Every day at work, at some point, I find myself at a loss for words as I seek to pray. There is too much going on; I can’t think straight; I don’t always know what to say or how to articulate myself.
I might be anxious, frustrated, or tired. A customer or staff member might have shared tough news. That’s when worship music rescues my mind, the Spirit of God interceding to help me pray as I ought.
1. When I’m Humbled
I’ve double-booked for the early shift, but I’m scrambling to find a closer. Or someone wanted a day off, and I forgot to schedule it, and now I’m short-staffed.
Or I’ve accidentally scheduled someone for six days in a row, and she didn’t point it out when she noticed (I clearly didn’t see it, I schedule more than 15 people each week).
She staggers in for her sixth shift in a row, and I say, “You look tired,” and then she tells me why. I feel super guilty.
Meanwhile, a customer is complaining that the tray we made wasn’t quite right. Or she’s here to pick it up, and we forgot to make it. Or I’ve lost someone’s resume, and I feel stupid.
About now, I just want to cry. Someone’s going to catch on soon that I should not be the manager. Anyone could do this job better; I couldn’t manage my way out of a paper bag with a map.
Here is what the Lord sings into my heart just then: “Lord Have Mercy” by Sovereign Grace.
“Oh God we come before your throne/and in our weakness we confess. We go astray and sin each day/we cast ourselves upon your grace.”
What’s my sin here? It’s not the mistakes but the way I talk to myself. “I’m stupid.” “I’m not good enough.” “It’s not okay to make mistakes.” That’s self-pity, and it redirects me from being humble about my errors and trying to figure out how to do better.
Self-denigration distracts me from the real work of becoming better organized, paying closer attention to scheduling, and asking for help when I need it. But there’s grace and mercy for that.
“The blood you shed has paid our debt/Jesus you washed our sins away. We trust your grace, believe by faith/in you we have all righteousness.”
2. When I’m Overwhelmed
Everyone is asking me questions, which is right and proper. It’s my job as a manager to field them with grace and patience. I certainly try to be patient, and I like helping the team.
Sometimes, though, they come at me thick and fast, plus a delivery of 50 boxes has just arrived in the cooler, and I’ve got to make room for it all.
But there’s an announcement on the P.A. system that we’ve got more stock arriving. I’ll have to hurry down to receiving and grab that stuff too.
About now, my ears are humming, and my breathing is shallow and difficult; there’s a lump in my throat. I’m getting anxious, and I long for a comforter to walk with me.
That’s when Chris Tomlin is singing, “You’re a good, good Father — it’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are. And I’m loved by you — it’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am.”
I feel comforted instantly to know that God is walking with me, holding me, caring for me when I’m about ready to self-destruct. As Jesus does with Peter, Tomlin repeats those statements three times as though to make sure I’m getting it. For now, I do.
3. When I’m Frustrated
A staff member is talking to me like she knows my job better than I do. “Shouldn’t you….” is a bad way to start any “question” since it’s not really a question but a rebuke or a demand.
Or I’ve asked her to do something, and she’s interpreted my direction rather than just listening to me and doing what I’ve asked (again).
It’s already been a very humbling day, and all I’ve received is unwanted advice and criticism. I won’t explode, but I might sigh loudly or express myself curtly. God, help me not to be angry!
Jesus Culture is singing, “Holy Spirit you are welcome here/ Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere/ Your glory God is what our hearts long for/ to be overcome by your presence, Lord.”
I’m instantly reminded of whose glory I should be seeking and whose Kingdom I belong to — and it’s not my own! If you would just fill me, Lord, flood out the resentment and self-aggrandizing — please increase in me by your Spirit.
4. When No One Seems to Care
Management can be lonely. My job is to serve and not to be served. I hear people’s complaints and concerns, criticism, and plain old venting.
But sometimes, it feels like that’s all I hear, and no one says anything nice. “You’re doing a good job.” “Thanks for taking care of that difficult situation.” “I really appreciate you.”
One or two of my staff members are quick to say nice things, but the rest just don’t think of it. And I start to feel like no one cares. I feel sorry for myself, essentially.
The Hillsong tune, “Who You Say I Am,” reminds me that my identity is tied to Christ 100%.
“Who am I that the highest King would welcome me/ I was lost but he brought me in, oh his love for me.”
What more do I need? Well, I need to get out of my head and start praying for others. After all, the best way to overcome the feeling that no one cares about me (apart from God) is to care for others through prayer.
It’s a sure-fire wake-up call, reminding me both that God cares about my small stuff, and not in a small way, but also that others need to be cared for too. Besides, when was the last time I thanked Jesus for everything he did and does for me?
5. When My Staff Needs Me
A customer has sworn at one of us. The till stopped working. The oven is leaking chicken fat from the warped door, and our pizza oven is making a noise like a chittering squirrel who drank too many Monster energy drinks. And now we’re out of Black Forest Ham in the deli counter — there could be a riot.
What can I sing to myself and my staff that will give them some energy, this largely non-Christian group? I don’t sing it to them, I sing it to myself, and they can listen or ignore me, but I need to remember that God is powerful, and he loves us.
Bethel Music’s “No Longer Slaves” reminds me that I’m free, in Christ, to love him and to love others and to even love the least lovable customers who come through our store.
“I’ve been born again into your family/your blood flows through my veins.”
What better thing can I sing to my staff than “I’m no longer a slave to fear/I am a child of God”? Maybe they’ll hear it, and perhaps it will help. If it doesn’t, then perhaps my own heart will reflect peace and joy that helps them thrive in spite of the day’s challenges.
6. Celebratory Days in Christ
The song which usually comes into my head when I want to celebrate Jesus is “How Great Thou Art” by Carl Boberg, and the workplace is no exception.
Sometimes it’ll just come into my mind when I’ve experienced the presence of Christ in a conversation with a co-worker or after praying with and for a customer.
My soul sings, “My Savior God to Thee, how great thou art”! I’d rather shout it, but singing it is probably more appealing to our Savior anyway.
Another celebratory song that pops into my head a lot is “You’re Beautiful” by Phil Wickham, especially as I watch the sunrise through the windows of our magnificent building.
“I see your face in every sunrise/the colors of the morning are inside your eyes/the world awakens in the light of the day/I look up to the sky and say — “You’re beautiful.”
I simply want to honor him, Jesus, my King!
7. Honorable Mention: Victory
One of my favorite songs is Kari Jobe’s “Revelation Song.” I don’t need a reason to sing this to myself, any time of day. The words paint an epic picture of the King returning, Christ finishing what he started, and taking us home.
Maybe that’s really what gets me started — a longing for Jesus to come soon. But if “You’re Beautiful” is the starting song, then this is the finale.
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty/who was and is and is to come!”
For further reading:
Listening to Music for the Lord
How Did the Contemporary Christian Music Genre Start?
What Should We Do When We Are Feeling Alone?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Brothers91
