Devotions/YouVersion – Called To Work

55. Conflict at Work – Go and Address the Person Directly

October 13, 2025

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-17, Matthew 5:23

How do we restore broken relationships? In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us a template for dealing with someone who has wronged us. He does not say, “Get even!” or “Strike back!” or “Prove that you were right.” Instead, he lays out a process that begins with seeking one-on-one to be reconciled.

Even in the healthiest workplaces, conflicts arise. When they do, the only effective resolution is for those in conflict to engage each other directly, not to complain to others. Rather than play out a conflict in front of an audience, meet with the person privately.

In the age of electronic communication, Jesus’ approach to “go” directly to the other person is more important than ever. All it takes is a name or two in the “cc:” line or one press of the “reply all” button to turn an ordinary disagreement into an office feud. Even if two people could keep an email chain to themselves, the possibilities for misunderstanding are multiplied when an impersonal medium such as e-mail is used. Therefore, unless doing so would put you in danger, it is probably best to take Jesus’ advice literally, “Go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.”

If you’ve been hurt, take the first step toward reconciliation, even though it may make you feel awkward or vulnerable. Likewise, if we believe we’ve hurt someone, Matthew 5:23 makes it clear that we should go and get right with him or her. Either way, it takes humility to be the first to say, “Hey, there’s something that’s been weighing on me. Can we talk?”

Sometimes conflicts aren’t resolved one-on-one. In that case Matthew 18:16 tells us to seek help from others with the appropriate skills and authority. This does not mean complaining to other people, but finding the right person(s) to help us resolve differences with the person we’re in conflict with.

Prayer：Jesus, your command to go and be reconciled is difficult. I ask for you to both strengthen me with your might and soften my heart to hear from your Spirit. Amen.

Further Exploration：Click to read more from the Theology of Work Project about conflict resolution in Matthew 18.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

54. Conflict at Work – The Value of Right Relationship

October 6, 2025

Scripture reading: Matthew 5:6, 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:18

We all experience conflict at work. Sometimes workplace conflict makes us think that work is a hostile place for our Christian faith or values. But in reality, the Christian faith is superbly capable of helping us bring good results out of the conflict that inevitably arises at work. It’s as if Jesus has gone ahead of us into our workplaces, standing ready to bring reconciliation and transformation in the place we spend most of our waking hours.

It begins with Jesus’ words “Blessed are the peacemakers.” When we think of “peace” we tend to think only of stability, tranquility, the absence of conflict. But the Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means life flourishing in community. Shalom is far more than absence of war and conflict. It draws together ideas of justice and righteousness. Shalom is a thriving fullness of life as it ought to be: whole, healthy and balanced.

Peacemaking, therefore, means engaging in conflict in in ways that resolve underlying disagreements while actually strengthening our relationships. It means treating people with justice and respect, even while we’re in conflict with them. It definitely does not mean ignoring conflict. “Keeping the peace” by evading issues at the office can result in a false peace: difficult issues go undiscussed, arguments linger unsettled, the mission of the organization suffers. Working honestly with our co-workers through disappointment, misunderstandings and anger restores relationships.

Our faith helps us be open to working through conflict because Jesus is our model. God sent his only Son to reconcile us to himself by means of a cross. That’s how important God thinks it is to do the hard work of restoring relationships.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the gift of peace I have with you through Christ. Through you may my relationships become more peaceful and healthy. As a recipient of your peace, I have been called to be a peacemaker. Help me to embrace this calling. Give me eyes to see, not only obvious conflict, but also that which lies beneath the surface. May I use every opportunity you put before me to work for genuine peace. Amen.

Further Exploration: Click to read more from the Theology of Work Project about the value of right relationships.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

53. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Others

September 29, 2025

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:7-13

Through your work you have the opportunity to impact many people. There are the people you see every day who are influenced by your attitude and your prayers. There are also people you don’t see on a daily basis who experience the benefits of your work. You have the chance to ignite all these people through short purposeful prayers throughout your workday.

Prayer in the workplace doesn’t need to be a big production. It could be a quick “please” or “thank you” whenever a new person crosses your path.

One customer service representative made a habit every time the phone rang of saying “Thank you, God, for the person I’m about to talk to.” The prayer didn’t take longer than one ring to say, and it changed the way this worker approached the phone call. As a result, whoever was calling left the interaction feeling blessed.

Jesus said, “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7). You don’t need to devote hours of time to prayer in order to bring God into your workday. Quick prayers are enough.

Martin Luther said that prayer should be “brief, frequent, and intense.” Whoever crosses your path today, whether it’s a customer, a coworker, or the person who empties your trash can, take a moment to pray for them. Expect God to do the rest.

Prayer: God, be present in my work today. Lead me through prayer, and teach me how to lead others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Exploration: If you enjoyed this plan, find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at www.theologyofwork.org/devotions

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

52. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Your Coworkers

September 22, 2025

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:2-9

People were created to live and work in community with one another – in other words, with other people. Different perspectives improve the product of your work, but differences can also be a source of conflict.

The letter to the Philippians gives this advice to coworkers in conflict with one another:

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:6–8).

If you’re stuck for a way to pray for your coworkers, thank God for anything that is honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy in them (Philippians 4:7). It may take a while to come up with a list, but it’s worth the effort. Focusing on what’s positive in someone else changes your heart and allows God to work in your working relationship.

God promises that his peace “which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) will come into your heart and mind when you pray for the people around you. You can start experiencing that peace by seeing the good in the people you see every day. This simple prayer could ignite a whole new level of excellence in the work that you produce individually and together.

Prayer: God, bless my coworkers today. Help me see what is honorable, pure, and praiseworthy in them. Thank you for the people I work with. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Further Exploration: Read more about Philippians 4:2-9 in the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

51. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Your Bos

September 15, 2025

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-3

You might get so wrapped up in your own work responsibilities – including keeping the boss happy – that you forget your boss needs prayer as well. No matter what kind of relationship you might have with your boss, the Bible urges you to pray for him or her.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 says that all people who are in “high positions” deserve multiple types of prayers.

The Bible uses three terms – “supplications, prayers, and intercessions” – to remind you to pray for your boss (1 Timothy 2:1). Pray that your boss is blessed with wisdom to make good decisions. Pray that God gives him or her success at work. And pray for God’s peace in the midst of uncertainty.

1 Timothy 2:2 also lists another way to pray for your boss: thanksgiving. It may seem counterintuitive to thank God for your boss, especially if you have a difficult one. But 1 Timothy 2:2 says to pray for “all” people in high positions, not just the ones you like. Look for something about your boss you can thank God for. For example, you can be grateful that your boss has to make the difficult decisions and face the consequences, not you. Or perhaps you’re grateful that you have a job at all. If so, thank God in prayer.

The promise of prayer is that you can lead a “quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:2). It allows you to be a peaceful presence in your workplace. Praying for your boss changes you in a positive way, and you might just see positive changes in your relationship with your boss too.

Prayer: God, bless my boss. Help my boss make good decisions. Give both of us success in our work. Grant me a peaceful workplace today. Amen.

Further Exploration: Read more about 1 Timothy 2 in the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

50. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Your Company

September 8, 2025

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:4-7

The Bible encourages you to pray for the place where you work. Your prayers could open doors to more people coming to know the Lord. And it’s good for you too, according to Jeremiah 29.

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).

Seeking the welfare of your company is important, whether or not the people in charge believe in God. In Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles, the Israelites were being asked to pray for the Babylonians – people who were actively hostile to God, and who had drawn the Israelites into captivity. Even so, God told the Israelites that praying for the Babylonians would be the key to the Israelites’ blessing.

By blessing others, you’re blessed too. This has always been an integral part of God’s Covenant. God expressed the link to Abraham in this way: “Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him” (Genesis 18:18).

God’s provision is so great that there is always enough to go around. Making prayer part of your leadership could bring greater blessings than you currently imagine.

Prayer: God, grant my company financial success. May the work I do today bring blessing to those I serve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Exploration: Read more about Jeremiah 29 in the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

49. Lead Through Prayer – Power of Prayer at Work

September 2, 2025

Scripture Reading: Psalm 25:1-5

Pressure to make decisions, solve problems, and boost performance is the norm in many workplaces. That pressure can weigh you down. Prayer is a powerful tool for turning to God so you can release the pressure and ignite your leadership.

The writer of the Psalms faced extreme challenges in his work, too. Hundreds of people reported to him. Competitors sought to kill him. His future was often uncertain. In the midst of the daily chaos, the psalmist turned to God in prayer. Psalm 25 can serve as a template for your own prayers.

The prayer opens with offering your inner-most self to God. “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul” (Psalm 25:1). These words help remind you to whom you belong.

It continues with an affirmation of your relationship with God. “O my God, in you I trust” (Psalm 25:2). When you’re unsure about what to do, you can trust God to guide you.

The prayer then asks God for insight. “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me” (Psalm 25:4-5).

You can ask God for insight into the unique problems you face during your day. There are many ways God can give you the answer. You might get understanding by reading the Bible and seeing scripture in a new light. Or you might hear advice from members of your Christian community that changes your way of thinking. Or God might give you insight directly in your time of prayer. All these are ways that God leads you in truth, as it says in Psalm 25:5.

When you need guidance at work, a quick prayer can connect you to God and open the doorway to God’s truth, helping you to work and lead in the best possible way.

Prayer: God, I lift up my soul to you. In you I trust. Show me your ways today. Amen.

Further Exploration: Read more about Psalm 25 in the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

48. Finding Work Life Balance – Prioritizing with Jesus

August 25, 2025

Scripture Reading: John 15:5, Ephesians 5:1-2

The term “work-life balance” falls short because it suggests that life can be neatly divided into equal parts to which we can assign equal importance. What we actually find is that life is messy and poses problems of priority at important moments. In her book Living a Purpose-full Life, Jan Johnson writes, “If each day is about knowing and loving God, that day’s activities will flow out of a divine common sense.” Holding life in proper priority requires us to constantly reorient our lives around Christ.

In Christ, what we see modeled is not balance but a great deal of consistency, a great deal of peace, and a great deal of certainty and purpose in the midst of some dramatic circumstances. Christ’s faithfulness was not measured by his life’s efficiency or some vague perception of balance. Jesus’ faithfulness was reflected in his willingness to do whatever God asked of him.

We can find opportunities to glorify God in every part of life—the entire day’s activities, not just the so-called “religious” tasks. Throughout the day as we face decisions about how to spend our time, we can ask ourselves how we can use our time to draw closer to God or demonstrate a characteristic of Christ to those around us. Some days that might mean working a little longer in order to complete a project on time, because Christ is faithful to keep his word. Other days we might take time off to care for a sick friend or spend a special day with our kids, as Christ valued and honored relationships in his life. At other times, it might mean getting rest and exercise, because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit through which we experience God and serve others.

Prayer: Jesus, I confess that apart from you, I have no good thing. I pray that you would be glorified as I seek to love you with all my heart and mind, and to honor you with my time and actions. I pray that you would instruct me and fill me with joy in your presence. Amen.

We hope this plan encouraged you. You can find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at www.theologyofwork.org/devotions

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

47. Finding Work Life Balance – Find Your Play

August 18, 2025

Scripture Reading: Luke 18:15-17

Play is not just for kids. If you are under pressure at work, a playful spirit can lead to balance, creativity and good health. Play relieves stress, increases physical and mental fitness, and introduces new ways of learning. Play reminds us how it feels to be a child—innocent, everything new. God is inviting us to play each time he points our hearts to beauty.

An article entitled “The Importance of Play for Adults” turns to psychiatrist Dr. Stuart Brown for a definition of play. The focus of play, Dr. Brown observes, is “on the actual experience, not on accomplishing a goal” and the activity “is needless.” You do it for fun, he says.

In our hyper-productive world, we need to learn how to play again. Play is not a one-size-fits-all pursuit. If we’ve been “all work and no play” for months on end, we’ll need to experiment to find what fits us.

Are you the type to belt out ‘90s tunes, take your dogs for a walk, or meet up with a friend for coffee? Find your play. Let it work in you to remind you how to be like a little child. Though we mature in our faith, in some ways we must remember to become like little children. After all, “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Prayer: Lord, I know you didn’t intend for me to live a life dictated by work. Help me recognize the ways I can find small moments of joy, rest and play in my hectic life. Help me be refreshed. Amen.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

46. Lead Through Prayer – Your Body is a Temple

August 11, 2025

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 12:1

According to 1 Corinthians, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Temples are not objects to be worshipped, but they must be kept in good condition so that we can use them for worship. Practically speaking, it is through the vehicle of our bodies that we experience and come to understand God’s love. It is also the instrument we use to serve others. Therefore, to the best of our abilities, we are to take care of and honor our bodies. Getting adequate rest, nutrition and exercise can be forms of worship to God.

Prayer: Jesus, I pray that you would help me honor the life you have given me by honoring the body you have given me, to the best of my ability. Amen.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Called To Work

Category: Devotions/YouVersion

55. Conflict at Work – Go and Address the Person Directly

54. Conflict at Work – The Value of Right Relationship

53. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Others

52. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Your Coworkers

51. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Your Bos

50. Lead Through Prayer – Pray for Your Company

49. Lead Through Prayer – Power of Prayer at Work

48. Finding Work Life Balance – Prioritizing with Jesus

47. Finding Work Life Balance – Find Your Play

46. Lead Through Prayer – Your Body is a Temple

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