Last week, I discussed how important it is for Christians to pray during each phase of their careers. Prayer, as a spiritual discipline, is just as important to practice in the later phases as well as the early ones.

In today’s article, I will explore specific prayers that are helpful during job/career transitions and when you are nearing retirement (like me). (Again, note that these prayers would apply equally to those who work at home as well as those who work outside the home.)

Job or Career Transitions

So, have you been in your career field for awhile now? Let’s review what God has done for you in your vocational journey so far.

You were fearfully and wonderfully made in his image. He created you with untapped potential through the development of various skills, gifts, attitudes, desires, experiences, and education to qualify you to be a coworker with him to meet the full spectrum of human needs through your job. He has provided you with a good position. Things have gone well. You have enjoyed a season of growth and ministry among those God has placed in your midst. He has gotten you through some difficult trials at work.

And then, out of nowhere, you sense that change is coming. You wonder why. What is God doing?

For some, it might be a growing discontent with where you are or what you are doing with your life. Your job may no longer be a good fit. “Is there something better for me here or somewhere else?” You may sense a major change of vocation as you enter your forties. You may have to go back to school. For others, it may be more humbling. You may lose your job, due to a series of failures, difficult relationships, or crazy circumstances outside of your control. And yet, God is still in control.

If you are in this challenging season somewhere in the middle of your career path, welcome to the club. Many of us have been there and done that. My life story is rich with how God guided me as I left teaching math to pursue vocational ministry, and later, left the ministry to join the military where I still serve in a civilian capacity.

Understand that the scenario I described above may occur many times over. Prayers in this season would be for wisdom, contentment, guidance, open doors, and the ability to be patient and trust God with the results as you once again hit the streets to try to find a new opportunity to serve. The writer of Hebrews encourages Christ-followers to do this: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

The Last Chapter

If you were blessed to have sensed God’s presence at work over many decades as I have, you have seen God provide, protect, lead, and guide you. It may have been a rough road at times, but one you were happy to be on, because God used you to meet the full spectrum of human needs for your neighbors around you.

Right now, I find myself in what I believe to be my last paid job. I am on a glide path over the next few years to wrap things up and come to the end of my fifty-year vocational journey which I began at eighteen as a college freshman earning my math degree. I have to say that it is bittersweet.

So, what am I and other seasoned Christian workers praying about in this final phase of our careers? We are praying for endurance to finish strong: mentally, physically, and spiritually. We are praying for wisdom to discern when the time is right to retire and let someone else take our place. We are praying God will provide for us financially, as we are not quite sure if we’ve saved or invested enough or have sufficient income coming in from Social Security and retirement. We are seeking God for guidance on where we need to spend our days working in his presence to serve others in a volunteer capacity.

As we wrestle with this major transition, we are also mindful that our days are numbered on this earth. We are eager to spend time in God’s Word and in prayer so that we will feel ready to come face to face with Jesus. Not in any fear of judgement, which is inappropriate for any Christian who understands the full extent of the forgiveness of our sins through faith in Christ, but at peace, having full confidence to step into the eternal life that we have put our hope in our whole lives.

Closing Thoughts

This article was driven by my understanding of God’s covenant faithfulness and my experience in walking with him as a Christian my entire adult life. God has been directly involved in getting me through every stage of my winding career path. In every trial and tribulation, he has either delivered me through it or from it. In every new assignment during my twenty-year military career, God was present with me, putting me exactly where he needed me to be at just the right time.

Practicing the presence of God on a daily basis is the only way you are going to get through the thorns and thistles in the world where you work. For me, it has not only been about working for God but working with him. As such, I have had to “pray continually,” as the Apostle Paul commended to the church. I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to pray to the Almighty as often as needed as you do your ordinary job in every season of life. “His grace has brought me safe thus far; His grace will lead me home!”

Editor’s note: This article was republished from the author’s blog with permission.