This work stress prayer is a guided prayer to help you to identify the causes of work stress, offer prayers that the stressors be resolved and pray for God’s help in staying healthy and focused in the middle of the stress.

How to do this work stress prayer action plan

We highly recommend that you pray this prayer with a pencil and paper and record the things you tell God about your situation.  This will help you in a number of ways. 

First, it will help you stay focused on your prayers since people under stress often are mentally and physically tired. 

Secondly, it will help you gain new insights from God into your situation.  I often find that the process of writing something down helps me more clearly express myself. 

Finally, it can be used as a record of what you have prayed that you can refer back to as you pray about  your situation.  The answers to this type of situation often evolve one step at a time, so continued prayer will keep your direct prayer line to God open for the strength and help you need each day.

You also might want to add items to your prayer action plan as time goes on, recording different feelings, needs, questions, concerns and insights you receive. 

Remember, this is a private discussion between you and God.  He cares about the specifics of your situation and he is ready to listen.  If you choose to write down your prayer needs and action plans, make sure you keep it in a private place at home.  Or you can choose to keep it tucked in your Bible symbolizing that you are putting it into God‘s hands.  

You can also choose to work on one or two parts of this prayer action plan over the course of several days if you lack time or mental energy to do the whole prayer at once. 

We recommend you find a comfortable, quiet place free from interruptions to do this prayer.    

Work Stress prayer

Dear God,

I come to you today asking for your help with work stress and stressful situations at work.   I know that you care about all aspects of my life and that you desire for me to have work that will provide for my needs and the needs of my family.  I have been doing my best, but lately I have been feeling stressed out at work. 

Here is how work stress is making me feel ___________________________________

Here is how work stress is affecting my family and my personal life_______________        

I thank you that you know my work stress and that you care about my physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.  I ask that you will refresh me, restore me and strengthen me.  I claim your promise in the Bible that says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  (Isaiah 40 :40 :31 NIV)

I ask for your insight and wisdom into the stressful situation at my workplace.   I now prayerfully consider which of the following stressors are the ones that are behind the stress levels I’m experiencing. 

Workload___________________

Budget cuts__________________

Unrealistic deadlines______________

Leadership problems___________________ ( specify who and what)

Unsafe or unhealthy work atmosphere________________ (be specific) 

workplace culture and values problems_________________ (be specific or give examples)

Favoritism____________________   (who and how)

Lack of proper equipment or supplies_________________  (be specific)

Lack of training___________   (specify who ie yourself or others and type of training needed)  

Lack of support_____________  (from whom; give examples)   

Lack of teamwork_____________  (give examples)

Difficult work hours_______________  (time of day, overtime, not enough time etc.)

Personality conflicts_________________ (who and examples)

Unfair work evaluations_____________ (your perceptions)

Unreasonable production demands_________

Other_________________

(note: after prayerfully considering these possible stressors, it might prove helpful to go back and note with checks the ones that seem most critical or the biggest problems.) 

God, I now come to you asking for your help and guidance on how to deal with the situations you have helped me identify.  Please bring to my mind one of the problems I have listed in this prayer and give me one insight or idea on something I can do to lessen the stress it is causing me ___________________

Notes on how God might answer you: instead of trying to find help for every problem at once, you may find it helpful to allow God to speak to you on them one at a time.   As you pray over each item, be aware that God may answer you through three different categories of prayer answers. 

God may send you a word answer, such as giving you a new insight on the matter or a promise that you can trust him.  These may come as an answering thought, through advice from a friend or from the Bible.  You may also receive a word answer that gives you an idea of something that you can do that will be a step toward alleviating the problem.  These types of word answers are ineffective if you choose not to do them.

God may send you a presence answer which gives you the strength and ability to continue on while the problem remains unsolved.  Encouragement is also a presence answer.  God will be with you and walk with you during this time.

God may send you an action answer.  The situation may change one way or another through events that you don’t set in motion.  These may come in the form of what you have specifically asked for, or they could be something entirely different or unexpected.  For further information see our article how to find an answer to every prayer.

God, I thank you for the things that are working well at my workplace.  Here are the  positive things I see ____________________________________________________________________

God, I pray for your guidance as to whom I should go to at work to discuss my workplace stress_______________________________________

I  pray that you show me if my workplace stress is at a point where I need to seek medical or counseling help_______________________________________________________________________  

God, I pray that you will give me direction on whether I should stay in my current position or begin looking for a transfer or a new job  ______________________________________________________

I pray that you will show me ways to de-stress and renew myself after work that are healthy and helpful.  Here are some ideas you are giving me now____________________________________________________________

I pray that you will enable me to keep a healthy sense of my self-worth.  I thank you that you love me, care for me and are there for me in all of my times of need. I claim the following verse for myself :  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.”  (Jeremiah 31:3)  “’For I know the plans I have for you ,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

I pray that you will continue to provide for my needs and for that of my family.  Bless us with your love.  Help us to get through this stressful time together. 

I thank you that you hear my prayers and that you can help me.  Amen.

About this stressful workplace action plan prayer

According to researchers, job stress is the number one source of stress in the U.S. today.  The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health defines job stress as “harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job od not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the workers.”  According to NIOS, “Stress sets the stage for illness, injury and job failure.”

In their report, the NIOS says that 40% of all American workers find their job “very or extremely stressful” and 25% say it’s the number one stressor in their life.

The American Institute of Stress defines stress as “little control but lots of demands.”   Here’s their breakdown of the main causes of on the job stress: 46% workload; 28% people issues; 20% juggling work and personal life; 6% lack of job security.

It goes on to warn that stress has been shown to adversely affect health, often in very serious ways such as causing a heart attack.

Since the problem of workplace stress is so widespread and can have serious effects on us, praying about workplace stress is clearly very needed today.

If you feel that your workplace stress is causing you physical, mental or emotional harm, please seek professional help immediately. 

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