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Day 17

Pastor Josh Anderson

Topic: Lost Coworkers

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:5

Devotional:

Working with people who are different from us can be challenging. Praying for those people can be even harder. Loving them with the love of Christ can be one of the most difficult tests God puts in front of us!

In most cases, we spend more time with our coworkers than our own families. We can spend 8–10 hours a day with them, yet know very little about their personal lives. We become well acquainted with their shortcomings and flaws, often writing them off as personality traits that are unchangeable. “Oh, Dave is just an angry person,” or “Susan has always been cold and unfriendly; it’s just the way she is!”

Because we are all flawed human beings, issues will happen at work. All too frequently when problems arise, it can be easy to let our differences cloud our spiritual vision to see our coworkers as God’s beloved children. Ephesians 2:4–5 levels the playing field:

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”

Take a moment to meditate on this scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart with the truth and power of God’s great love. We were all dead in our trespasses against God. It was not until God chased us down with His wonderful, gracious love that we were made spiritually alive. Thank You, Lord!

Take the next few moments and think of one or two coworkers with whom you work closely (preferably the ones that are really challenging). Ask the Holy Spirit to touch your heart, and pray this prayer:

Father, thank You for _______. Forgive me where I have hardened my heart toward them, and not seen them with Your eyes. Give me Your heart for them and help me love them like You do.

Father, I ask You to pursue ________ with Your love and grace. Soften their heart to the gospel. Heal any wounds from their past and help them with any challenging circumstance they are facing. You know them, Lord. Holy Spirit, nudge me to share Jesus and pray for them when the door of their heart is open. Pursue them with dreams, circumstances and family members. Bring salvation to them and their household, that You might receive another child into Your family. Amen.