This week I begin a new series entitled @ work. I’m very excited about the potential of what can happen when we see work, career transitions and the workplace from a Biblical perspective.
On the other hand, communicating at our North Point campuses is always a bit intimidating. For my money, Andy Stanley is the best communicator in the country. Not to mention the other strong line-up of communicators we have. They are all a high bar to reach. Plus, it always seems like I come under some sort of spiritual attack during the times I preach. Just being honest.
This week, my mentor and friend John Woodall prayed over me in preparation for the series. It was one of the most powerful moments of prayer I have ever experienced. It was so powerful I asked John if I could share the prayer with you. It’s a prayer from Charles de Foucauld, and it’s a keeper. I’m praying it daily. I hope you will too.
See you Sunday.
Jeff
————–
Deliver Me, Jesus from the desire to be praised,
honored, glorified, preferred, consulted, or approved.
Deliver me, Jesus, from the fear of being humiliated,
criticized, forgotten, ridiculed, maltreated, and
from the fear of what others will think.
O Jesus, give me the grace to desire: that others
would be loved and esteemed ahead of me,
that in the eyes of the world they would increase
while I decrease, and praised while I pass by
unnoticed; that others would be preferred in
all situations; that others would become more
than myself — in order that I would be as holy
as You want me to be. — Charles de Foucauld
A variation on the Litany of Humility.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litany_of_humility
Excited for you and praying for you Jeff. Thanks for what you do!
Thank you Jeff for sharing, you are right that is a powerful prayer. Usually when you speak I tell my friends that is like open heart surgery! God speaks to me in an amazing way through you! God Bless You. Looking forward to the series.
Hi Jeff, thank you for you @work series. I love your reminder that we work for God. However, I disagree that we can just go back to work with a new attitude. A lot of people are plainly in the wrong job… people that need to re-connect with God, find what God’s plan for them is, and go in a new direction. I wish you addressed those people too in your series. Thanks,
Cristian
Alan — Thanks so much!
Thanks Mercedes!
Cristian – stay tuned for Part 2.
Jeff,
Thank you for posting the prayer. I am also going to be praying it daily.
I highly enjoyed your sermon Sunday. You did an exceptional job and it was SO VERY applicable to our daily life and straight from scripture-two things that I find the most helpful.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series!
Thank you !
…….
Will you be addressing how people who are disabled/retired can work for God? I have a friend who is paralyzed (vet)and thought of that during the sermon.
Last sunday, I had the opportunity to sit on the row behind your lovely bride and Kristen at the 9 am service. You absolutely nailed part one of this series and I am looking forward to hearing part two. Please know that we keep you and your family constantly in prayer. We love you.
Eric and the Buckhead Men’s Prayer Group
Hi, Jeff – we missed week one, but my husband and I are turning a new page in our respective jobs after hearing week 2. I blogged a bit about it and linked to your message series (btw, they should make the actual series’ directly linkable for people like me who blog/comment on them). Thanks again for a great reminder…I loved when you said that the purpose of our life at work is to show that God is at work in our lives.