Father, help us to work for you.
This one is probably more of a note to myself. Being self-employed often means spending more time looking for work and preparing samples than actually doing the work itself. So the standard 37 hour week very rarely applies. It can quite easily creep up over 50 hours per week without us noticing it.
So while we are commanded to work ('we commanded you this: “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat."' 2 Thess 3:10), we have to make sure that the work we do doesn't interfere with our service to Christ.
This may mean we don't work on Sundays, or only accept jobs that will allows us time off to attend the breaking of bread service.
It may mean we won't perform duties that require us to swear allegiance to human institutions or one that ask us to do things contrary to the teachings of Christ. It may also mean that our work lives leave little time to do anything beneficial in our labours for those in need or even our own families.
Some jobs have features that we are warned against in the Bible. Jobs which involve violence, excessive alcohol, drugs, those which may be inappropriate or immoral, etc. Some are more subtle where our allegiance is required for unions or we have to teach things which are contrary to God's wishes. This may be on sexual relationships, promoting other religions or anti-creation theories. We have to make sure that what we do will be acceptable to God.
The next question is why do we work?
Is it for the benefit of God, our neighbour or ourself?
"rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need."
Eph 4:28
Or is it because we want more income? Or maybe it's a distraction because we like to be doing something?
At the end of the day we only have so much time to spend. Are we using it in a way that God wants?
"And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
Col 3:23,24