10. A PRAYER FOR BEGINNING ONE'S WORK

         Eternal and merciful God, I am about to resume my work and the duties of the calling into which Thou hast placed me, Thy servant.  May I apply myself according to the ability Thou dost grant, so that I may serve my neighbor and make an honest living.  Relying on Thy gracious promise, I therefore heartily pray Thee to bestow upon me, for the duties about to be resumed, prudence, wisdom, understanding, success, and blessing, together with health, so that I may not only make a good beginning, but in Thy name and by Thine aid arrive at a profitable close, thus at all times faithfully attending to my duties with a clear conscience and in Thy fear.  To Thee I commend my work.  Graciously let me succeed in all that I undertake and let me accomplish what I undertake in Thy name, so that Thy light may cast a bright beam on my path to Thy praise and glory and to the welfare of my neighbor; through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.  O Lord Jesus, in Thy name and upon Thy word I will cast out my net.  O Lord, help; O Lord, grant success! Amen.

PREPARATORY PRAYERS - 1. FOR TRUE DEVOTION

     O Lord, in obedience to Thy will and command I am bringing all my petitions, even those things that hinder and would prevent my coming to Thee, my sins, which trouble me greatly, and I ask Thee to remove and forgive them for Jesus' sake. Amen

9. A PRAYER FOR THE PROPER PERFORMACE OF ONE'S DUTIES

     O merciful and faithful God, Thou hast ordained that each person should have a certain calling and faithfully attend to it.  Thou seest and knowest my responsibilities, O Lord, and that without Thy grace, strength, and blessing I am not able to do anything whatever; Thou also knowest my manifold short comings.  Therefore I earnestly pray Thee, do Thou bestow upon me wisdom and strength, together with a courageous and fearless spirit, so that I may act prudently, overcome all obstacles that arise, and attain to a blessed and desired end by Thy fatherly guidance.  My hope rests in Thee, O my God.  Let me not be confounded, and do not let mine enemies rejoice over me.  No one, I know, will be forsaken that waiteth on the Lord.  O show me Thy ways and teach me Thy paths, for Thou art God of my help; daily do I wait on Thee.  Preserve my soul, save me, and lend Thine aid to all that concerns my welfare.  Let me not be confounded, for I trust in Thee.  O Lord, my God and my Deliverer, be not far from me; hasten, O Lord, to succor me! Amen.