Devotions/YouVersion – Called To Work

72. Created and Called – After the Fall: God is With Us in Our Work

February 9, 2026

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:16, 4:1-2, Philippians 4:1-3, 19

Because both the first woman and the first man disobeyed God’s earliest commandment, work became more difficult. Adam finds that his original work (gardening) is much harder, while Eve’s greatest difficulty is childbearing.

Nonetheless, God helps Eve with the work of parenting. Eve says about her firstborn, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” It is only through God’s help that we can do any work, whether it’s parenting, ministry, or work in the marketplace. In Philippians 4, Paul writes to both men and women about their work together building the church in Philippi. He encourages these men and women, telling them that God will help them and meet all their needs.

Wherever we work today, whether at home or in a paid workplace, God is with us when things get painful or difficult. God has not abandoned us because of our sin. Rather, God wants to help us in our work.

Prayer: God, be with me in my work today. I need your help. Let me know your presence when I am in pain or difficulty. Amen.

Further Exploration: After the Fall, our work is more important than ever. Read People Work in a Fallen Creation from 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.

71. Created and Called – God Created Women to Work

February 2, 2026

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:15-22

The first thing God does after creating Adam is give him a job: tend my garden. But soon God realizes that working alone is not good for Adam. So God creates a woman, another person to share the workload.

The phrase in Hebrew that is used to describe the first woman is ezer k’negdo. Ezer is used in the Old Testament to describe one who helps, not as an apprentice or assistant, but as a strong ally. The word is used to refer to nations that Israel appealed to for military aid; it is also used to describe God himself as our “helper.” The word k’negdo means “comparable to him” or “suitable to him.” Put together, the phrase indicates that Eve was created as a partner, with the purpose of joining Adam in the work God had asked him to do.

As we examine the unique challenges of being a Christian woman in the workplace, it is important to understand that the working woman is not a modern invention. For example, a woman who aspires to become a partner in a law firm is not a modern aberration; rather, she is responding to the way God created her. The first woman was created with a job, just as Adam was.

Prayer: Lord, help me to work as you designed me to work. Help me steward the gifts you’ve given me. And help me partner with others to complete the good work you call us to. Amen.

Further Exploration: To learn more about God’s intention for relationships as shown in creation, read God Creates and Equips People to Work from 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.

70. Tuning Into God – Renew Your Mind

January 26, 2026

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:2

Over the course of an average workday, you’ll likely face many moments when your mind could use a refresh button.

When too many things clamor to take up space in your head, take a moment to tune into God.

Each of the spiritual practices you learned these past few weeks serves to renew your mind. Every time you flex that muscle, you are more able to “discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2).

Which practice most helped you tune into God in the past few weeks? Was it seeking God through your work? Breathing and repeating the Jesus prayer? Scanning your body for tension? Or being mindful of the world around you?

Whichever practice was most helpful to you in the past few weeks, make that your practice today.

Use one of these practices to tune into God:

· Tune into God through work. Try to imagine a task as something that you and God are doing together. Listen for any new insights, ideas, or emotions that come to your mind while working.

· Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer. Breath in and repeat the words, “Lord Christ.” Breath out and repeat the words, “Have mercy on me.”

· Still your body. Scan your body for any tension. Ask what it means. Ask God to help you let go and relax.

· Mindfulness. Be present to the world around you. Notice your thoughts and surroundings without judgement. Ask God what he’d like you to pay attention to.

Reflect: How do you feel after completing a spiritual practice? Moving forward, how can you tune into God in your day-to-day life?

Prayer: God, renew my mind through your Holy Spirit. May I follow you in my moment-by-moment.

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

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.

69. Tuning into God – Mindfulness

January 19, 2026

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what you’re paying attention to right now.

Focusing on the here and now helps you tune into God – wherever you might find God in the present moment.

It’s hard to tune into God when you’re preoccupied with worries about the future. When Jesus taught his followers to let go of their anxiety, he pointed out concrete examples in the world they could see all around them. The flowers in the field and the birds flying overhead aren’t troubled by worry. When you practice mindfulness, you become more like birds and flowers – present and attuned to God’s provision.

You might start a mindfulness practice by paying attention to the natural world you see around you. If your mind starts to wander into the future, gently bring it back to the present moment.

You can practice mindfulness by being fully present to whatever you experience in the moment, whether it’s birds flying overhead or the work project in front of you.

In the introduction to “The Devout Life,” St. Francis de Sales describes the spiritual discipline this way: “If you have gone astray, quietly bring your soul back to the presence of God.”

Practice mindfulness:

· Take a moment to still your body and mind. If thoughts about the future trouble you, give yourself permission to put those issues on hold.

· Pay attention to what you’re paying attention to right now.

· Let go of the need to judge it – just give the present moment your full attention.

· Thank God for sharing this moment with you.

Prayer: God, sustain me in this present moment as you sustain all of your creation.

Further Exploration: Read about what a mindful workplace looks like.

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.

68. Tuning into God – Still Your Body

January 12, 2026

Scripture Reding: Psalms 46:10

Tension may show up in your body before you’re even aware of it in your mind. A knot in the pit of your stomach or a furrowed brow may be your best indicator that something’s wrong.

When you feel ill at ease, it could be you’re walking into a broken situation where you need God’s perspective. Or it could be your own fear, anger, or judgement that’s coming between you and God. The practice of stilling your body and scanning for tension can be a good step to tuning into God’s wisdom.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” The Hebrew verb “raphah” which is translated as “be still” literally means “to let something drop, to let go, or to abandon something.”

When you find tension in your body – something that keeps you from being comfortably still – maybe there’s something you need to let go of. It could be an underlying fear that you need to give to God, or a response like anger or judgement that you need to ask God to forgive. Or it could be you’re facing a difficult situation and you need to prayerfully reflect about what next steps you can take.

Ask God to help you address the root cause of your tension. Then ask God to give you his stillness.

Practice stilling your body:

· Close your eyes and scan your body from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. Where do you notice pain or tension?

· Ask God: What does this tension mean?

· Let it go. Practically, this might mean forgiving someone, or asking for forgiveness, or praying about what next step you can take to restore a broken situation.

· Ask God to take away the tension and help you relax.

· Take a few slow breaths until you feel calm and still.

Prayer: God, still my body, and let me know you.

Further Exploration: Read an interview with author Lauren Winner on being still.

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.

67. Tuning into God – Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer

January 5, 2026

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:7

Your breath can be a powerful connection to God.

With his own breath, God made the first man come alive. A practice of tuning into God through your breath can remind you that everything good – including life – is a gift from your creator.

Many ancient meditative practices focus on slowing down and paying attention to your breath. One such prayer was described in “The Way of the Pilgrim” in the 19th century. It’s called “The Jesus prayer” because with every breath you recognize your need for Jesus as a savior.

The Jesus Prayer uses your natural breath pattern to meditate on the words “Lord Christ, have mercy on me.” On each inhale you say the words “Lord Christ,” and on each exhale you say, “Have mercy on me.”

This phase comes from Luke 18:38, in which the man who calls out to Jesus is healed.

You can try the prayer with other phrases that remind you of your reliance on God. For example, you could repeat the words “Father… I belong to you” which comes from Psalm 73:23. Another phrase which is used by prophets in the Bible is “Lord… here I am” (Isaiah 6:8, 1 Samuel 3:4).

Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer:

· Breath in and repeat the words, “Lord Christ.”

· Breath out and repeat the words, “Have mercy on me.”

· Repeat this prayer 10 times, or until your breathing becomes calm and slow.

Prayer: Lord, every breath I take comes from you. Help me connect with you, the source of my life.

Further Exploration: Read about using prayer triggers as reminders to tune into God .

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.

66. Tuning into God – Tuning into God Through Work

December 29, 2025

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Nearly every moment of every day, dozens of different demands compete for your attention.

Your boss says, “Do this now!” Social media screams, “Look over here!” The people you love clamor for your time. With all these voices, it can be hard to hear the quiet leading of God.

Tuning into God is a spiritual discipline. It’s a muscle you need to flex in order to make it stronger. This plan presents four practices you can use to turn down the volume on the other voices that surround you and turn up the volume on God.

Listening practices are spiritual because they cultivate a different kind of hearing. As 1 Corinthians 2 says, God can’t be seen with normal eyes or heard with normal ears. God can only be revealed through the Spirit.

You can practice tuning into God’s Spirit no matter where you are, including at work.

Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century monk, learned to connect with God through his day-to-day labor. As he worked in the monastery kitchen, Brother Lawrence trained himself to view his work as something he was doing with God. While he washed dishes, he thought about how much he loved God and how much God loved him. This turned his work into an act of prayer – something that he and God were doing together.

Practice tuning into God through work:

· Think of one manual task you need to do today. It could be washing dishes, pulling weeds, folding laundry, or anything else you need to do.

· Before you start this task, ask God to be with you in your work.

· Try to imagine the task as something that you and God are doing together.

· Listen for any new insights, ideas, or emotions that come to your mind while working.

Prayer: God, thank you for being with me in my work. May my everyday labor be a place where I can tune into you and feel your presence.

Further Exploration: Read this personal reflection on seeing work like Brother Lawrence did .

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.

65. Love Your Coworkers – Work Together as Coworkers for God

December 22, 2025

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul clears up a potential conflict between himself and his coworker Apollos by emphasizing their relationship as coworkers. One is not greater than the other, but they share a common purpose of working together for the gospel. Each of them did a specific job.

To use an agricultural metaphor, Paul planted and Apollos watered. In this case as well as in our modern workplaces, coworkers have different tasks in line with their abilities, but all share a common goal of getting the job done.

By the grace of God, different people are able to play different roles in the workplace. We need to value each others’ differences, just like Paul valued the work of Apollos. Unfortunately, specialization sometimes leads to interpersonal or interdepartmental factionalism, poor lines of communication, and even personal vilification.

So it is ever more important that we take note of what Paul says about the God-given nature of different roles. Though our coworkers may be different in ways that irk us, we can love them for those differences, knowing that each of us is necessary to get the job done.

God created people to be coworkers. He warns us to deal quickly with interpersonal conflict and to guard our tongues against the kind of speech that poisons relationships. This is because working with others is so important to getting godly work done.

God asks us to go beyond simple working relationships to love our coworkers in the same way we love ourselves. He shows us an example of what that looks like in the Good Samaritan. And he cautions us through the words of Paul to value each other continuously as we work towards common purposes.

Our relationships with coworkers may be complex. Thankfully, the ways we can start loving them are simple. Pay attention to your coworkers, give them the benefit of the doubt, speak kindly about them and stand up for them when necessary. These loving actions will go a long way towards creating a positive environment where everyone is happy to work.

Prayer: God, please help me see the value in my coworkers today. I want to love them as you love them.

Further Exploration: 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.

64. Love Your Coworkers – Be a Good Samaritan at Work

December 15, 2025

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-37

In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus expands upon the Great Commandment to include a parable that answers the question “who is my neighbor?” The story of the Good Samaritan provides us with insights for both life and work.

The Good Samaritan was a successful businessman. He likely traveled the trade route often, and was deemed trustworthy enough by the innkeeper to demand services on credit. He was successful enough to be able to afford oil and wine for medicinal purposes and lodging at an inn for a complete stranger. Perhaps his success was a result of his kindness.

It turns out that treating coworkers well is good for business. Arthur Demoulas, CEO of the chain of groceries Market Basket, made it a point to treat his workers well. He paid them well over the minimum wage and refused to scrap the company’s profit-sharing plan even in an economic downturn.

He forged direct connections with his workers, learning the names of as many of his 25,000 employees as possible. When Market Basket’s board of directors fired Arthur Demoulas in 2014, due in large part to his generosity, the employees of the supermarket went on strike in support of their leader. Workers refused to stock the shelves until Arthur Demoulas regained control of the company. It was the first instance ever of workers organizing to choose their own CEO, and it was fueled by Arthur Demoulas’ self-sacrificing generosity.

At work we have many chances to show this sort of self-sacrificial love to our coworkers. Being a Good Samaritan in the workplace means cultivating a specific awareness of the needs of others. Are there people in your workplace who are being robbed in some way, perhaps of recognition or promotion?

A Christian should be the one to point out their contributions. Or if you see one or your coworkers struggling with a project, stop what you’re doing and help them. Connect them with someone else who can help. This is what the Good Samaritan does to love his neighbor.

Prayer: Lord, help me be a Good Samaritan in my workplace today. Bless me with success in my work and give me the opportunity to use that success for others.

Further Exploration: For more on valuing people who are different from us, listen to this sermon: Finding God in the Least Expected People (Sermon Notes)

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.

63. Love Your Coworkers – The Great Commandment at Work

December 8, 2025

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:34-40

For all the many hours that we spend at work, the people to the right and to the left of us are our neighbors. Jesus teaches that whether or not we love our coworkers is directly linked to how much we love God.

When Jesus answers a lawyer’s question about which commandment in all of scripture is the greatest, he brings together two commandments into one new directive. Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.

This new dual command has been called The Great Commandment for its importance in all of scripture. We cannot fully show our love for God if we do not love our neighbor.

What does loving our neighbor as our own self look like in the workplace? It looks like paying attention to a coworker’s presentation rather than checking your phone, even if the subject matter isn’t interesting to you. You would want to see other people’s eyes if you were giving a presentation.

Or it looks like taking time to sit with a new coworker at lunch because you would want to be welcomed if it were your first day on the job. Or it looks like asking a colleague, “Is it possible we’re not taking her seriously enough because she’s a woman?” knowing that you would want a colleague to stand up for you if you were being misunderstood.

These are small examples, yet each of them may come at a price—boredom, an hour of unbillable time, access to the inner circle of power. To love your coworkers, as yourself, may require taking risks that we would surely take in order to serve our own ends, but which loom large when undertaken only for the benefit of someone else. It is truly a high bar, and perhaps that is why Jesus equates such behavior with showing love for God.

Prayer: God, I love you with all my heart, soul, and might. Let me express my love for you today by loving my coworkers. Give me eyes to see the ways I love myself, and let me love others in this way.

Further Exploration: For more ways that you can love your neighbor through your work, see the Theology of Work Commentary on Leviticus .

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

72. Created and Called – After the Fall: God is With Us in Our Work

71. Created and Called – God Created Women to Work

70. Tuning Into God – Renew Your Mind

69. Tuning into God – Mindfulness

68. Tuning into God – Still Your Body

67. Tuning into God – Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer

66. Tuning into God – Tuning into God Through Work

65. Love Your Coworkers – Work Together as Coworkers for God

64. Love Your Coworkers – Be a Good Samaritan at Work

63. Love Your Coworkers – The Great Commandment at Work

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