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In July I wrote a blog asking prayers for those out of work. The statistics are discouraging, hardly a budge in the unemployment rate. But beyond the numbers, there is the anecdotal evidence.
Just the other day I asked a friend if his wife had gotten the job she had interviewed for, a position that seemed perfect for her. “No,” he said, “they called her to let her know that she was their second choice.”
Second choice is still being left out in the cold. Week after week, when I read the prayer requests we receive at OurPrayer.org, I’m struck by the effects of long-term joblessness. Houses going into foreclosure, electricity cut off, people postponing medical care, marriages under stress, grown children moving in with parents.
And yet I see in each prayer request an expression of hope. Hope doesn’t just cave under discouraging statistics. Hope believes in a better future. Hope prays.
Last summer I added to my prayer list three friends who were looking for work. I don’t usually find out what happens to the strangers I pray for, but my friends keep me posted. I was even brave enough to let them know they were on my list.
Here’s the good news. Two of the three have just gotten jobs. Jobs that they really wanted in places that can use their talents. (I confess I keep praying for them because the first few weeks in a new position can be stressful.)
Statistics don’t lie, but statistics don’t tell the whole story. You undoubtedly have people in your own life who are desperately seeking work. Keep their spirits up. Let them blow off steam when they need to. Call ’em, send them an e-mail. Don’t let them lose hope. Keep praying for them.
Let us know who we can pray for. We’ve got hundreds of volunteers all over the country who want to do just that. We’re setting aside November 11 as a special day to remember any financial difficulties people are having. But you don’t need to wait until then. We’re ready to pray right now.
I’m still praying for that third friend.
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Rick Hamlin is the executive editor of Guideposts magazine. His regular prayer habit is a psalm a day and some meditation on his commute to work, which happens to be a New York subway train.
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Rick I read your story of faith and prayer about your friends. Please pray for my son inlaw who is desperately searching for a job, who lost his job of eight years last month and is expecting a baby, mortgage to pay and is in a 3 year marriage. Please pray for them!
Rick please pray for my son inlaw who was laid off his job after eight years. He and my daughter is three years in marriage, and is expecting their first baby, and have a mortgage to pay, the wife is working , but her salary cant meet all their bills, and prepare for a new baby. He has started getting frustrated, though he is trying hard to find another job, he has sent his resume all over, and is driving to many company sites asking for job as he is an electrician by trade. I am trying to help the best I can financially, but it is hard sometimes on me, as I too have my own financial responsibilities. Pray that the good Lord open a door of employment for him, and that it be in the area where he lives so he could be their for his wife since she is very pregnant. I know in Jesus name it will be done, thank you Lord, as u always make the impossible possible. God is Good all the time! I am depending on you Lord!
I ASKED FOR PRAYERS FOR MY DAUGHTER & HER HUSBAND. YOU HELPED IN SPADES. FABULOS OFFER CAME THER WAY. THANK YOU
I'm a senior person on Social Security and am hoping for a seasonal job starting by the end of Jan. I have applied online as a lot of job applications are now-a-days. Please pray for me as I need it badly. I have worked there 3 times before and hope of course, that they call me again. It's very hard living on Soc. Sec. Wish I was a lot smarter and started saving money out of each check years ago. God bless all of you and I hope we all get jobs soon. Best wishes.
Hello Rick,
I read your article for those out of work. I am one of those, millions, I believe 14 million roughly and it's been awful. In my instance, I believe the incident was evil, my career and benefits were stolen. There was one more year required for retirement medical, and I was thrown under the bus by a narcisstic individual. In addition, I am selling my clothes on Ebay for food while this individual eats on the company. Despicable. A healthcare company....good grief.
Tell your doctor, this story...a major company...
You mentioned you had 3 friends your prayed for and 2 received jobs, since there is an opening , please place me on your list. I need divine intervention...god bless....
We're sorry things are difficult for you right now. Be sure to visit the OurPrayer section of Guideposts.org, where you can also make prayer requests. http://www.guideposts.org/ourprayer
So many struggle but God has a purpose for all this and we know it is only goood for God is good! Into thy loving hands and we need to trust and have faith! Perhaps the lesson is not for us but we are the lesson! God bless us everyone !
I am long-term unemployed, on social security disability, and struggling due to high interest parent plus loans, credit card bills, and depression has joined the adventure.
I hope that everyone is able to find a job that fits and pays the bills.
For me, I'm having to stand up to be heard by Congress to change the rules for student and parent plus loans to help with long-term unemployment (the total deferment period is currently three years, where I'm at), reduced interest rate, and to be able to combine different loans into one small payment.
My health is suffering because I can't afford the co-pay to get the therapy, so I do what I can with what I have.
Thank you for Guideposts, I do not feel alone facing this.
God Bless you and know you are not alone..God cares :)
i have a job and love it. however, frustration comes when there are certain aspects of the job that are physically demanding and i have rhumatoid arthritis. I hurt most of the time at work,which makes me angry and irritabl. my prayer is for God to heal my pain which will also give me a healthier attitude towards my job. i love it , but i hurt most of the time and it is also third shift. please pray for my anger most of all as this is more hurtful than my physical pain. somedays i am really sore. but i also pray for all those without work as well , as i know that i am truly blessed. Our God is an awesome God and he reigns from heaven above. May God bless. dee
Affirmation: God is my strength and guide..I am healthy and free !
I too have been unemployed for over a year and a half. I know God has a plan for me a all those whose hope and trust is in the Lord. Thank you for your prayers.
One of the worst aspects of being out of work (which I was, for a year, until just recently) is that feeling that you're fighting the battle alone. Checking in on a friend who's job-hunting, letting them know you're keeping your eyes open for them, meeting them for lunch and picking up the check -- these small gestures show you care and let that person know that they are not alone, that someone cares about them and is concerned about their predicament.
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