Amos answered Amaziah [the priest], “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel...’ (Amos 7:14-15).
Our Father, You are enthroned as the Holy One—dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations (Psalm 22:3, 28). Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
Father, when You purpose, no one can thwart Your plan, or turn back Your hand (Isaiah 14:27). [You] do what pleases You in the heavens, and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths (Psalm 135:6). And yet, this is no cause for resistance or rebellion, because [Your] way is perfect (Psalm 18:30), Your love is unfailing, Your goodness is boundless.
Lord, You work in ways that are so unlike everything we expect or conceive. Indeed, "Your thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways Your ways,” [Isaiah 55:8]. You raise up for Yourself those You have called into service, and You prepare and protect and equip and enable.
To each of us, You have given work—assignments designed to fulfill Your good purpose (Philippians 2:13). You have called us to various ministries—some in the home and family, some in the corporate or academic world, some in family businesses, some in service organizations, some in church or religious settings, and some in variations or combinations of these. And sometimes, like the prophet Amos, You call us in a new direction, or move us into new territory.
Wherever You have called us Lord, You have a mission for our lives. Like Amos, we may encounter obstacles, challenges to our qualifications, questions about our credentials. Keep us from fear and doubt, wavering and unbelief. Help us to stand firm in the authority of the Lord, confident in the strength of the Lord, humble in the fear of the Lord.
Give us zeal and passion, commitment and discipline. Help us to be diligent and dedicated—steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that [our] labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV).
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