a forty-five second top-up!

Where does God fit into the workplace?  It is a lot easier for me to know that answer now, while sitting in what was a vestry, behind a large and powerful cross, starting each work day with at least 30 minutes of prayer and reflecting on what God is saying to me today! But when I was in another world – the corporate environment in a multi-national IT company -I frequently had to rUn and find Him, wondering how he would fit in!I was trying to explain to Malcolm one day how God showed how much He belonged in my workplace. I pulled out a rather tattered bit of paper with about 200 words on it and said that this is where I run to so often and God reassures me that He IS with me. The words on the paper were not mine or scripture but a written prayer. Being Pentecostal this was a bit confronting for me. However, when I read the words it felt like they were written on my heart and God wanted me to invite Him to join with me in my workplace.The man who gave them to me was a successful academic lawyer, relocated to UWA from central Africa. For about two years his life was in turmoil: Every paper he presented was rejected, projects failed, he struggled to get students to his lectures. Gradually things changed because one day he cried out asking His Heavenly Father to help him, guide him and anoint him for the tasks ahead. He invited God to be with him in the workplace and made a space for him.I thought I would try it. Over the years, I have pulled out this tattered bit of paper when my mind was feeling fragmented with 20,000 different demands on it and as I leapt into my car or threw myself onto a plane, I would STOP and make a space for My Heavenly Father and spend 45 seconds reflecting on these words....My Heavenly Father, I ask for Your presence to be with me today in this workplace. I seek Your peace, grace, mercy and perfect order in this office. I acknowledge Your power over all that will be spoken, thought and done within this workplace.Lord, I thank You for the gifts you have blessed me with. I commit to using them responsibly in Your honour. Please give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, ideas and energy so that even the smallest accomplishment will bring You glory.Lord, when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, energise me. When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of Your Holy Spirit. May the work that I will do and the way I will do it, bring faith, joy and a smile to all that I will come into contact with today. Bless my family and relationships to be in Godly order.Lord, I thank You for everything You have done, everything You are doing and everything You are going to do in my career. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray with much love and thanksgiving.What God did was enter my space and fill  me with His peace in busyness, His steadiness in turmoil. So often I did (do) feel as though God was (is) giving me the words to say in tough negotiations or when presenting something complex to an audience.Yes, God knows where He fits in the workplace. Just ask Him to be there.Blessings and joyMargaret