This unemployment prayer helps you express your needs to God for his help and provision when you need a job.  Unemployment is a stressful situation for so many reasons and prayer can help you stay focused, help you build a strong foundation for your future job and reassure you that you’re not alone.      

Unemployment prayer for God’s provision and help

Dear God my provider,

I come to you seeking your provision and guidance while I’m unemployed. 

Thank you that you’re always here to listen.  It’s hard for anyone else to really understand everything I’m going through.  You know I’m trying to stay positive, but I need to honestly share my feelings and worries with you and I am glad that you know me better than anyone else.      

My feelings have been all over the map.  Sometimes I feel OK and other times I feel rejected, angry, hopeless, discouraged, confused, fearful and alone.   

I’m worried about how I’m going to pay my bills, keep a roof over my head and take care of my family.  Then there’s the pressure to find another job.  And on top of that there’s the stress of not knowing when I’ll be back at work again.   

I thank you that you assure me in the Bible, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  (1  Peter 5:7 NIV)   It feels so good to know that you care about all my worries.    

I thank you that the Bible says that you will not only provide for me, but that you also value me.  “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:24 NIV)

I need guidance about a lot of things right now.  I claim the promise in the Bible that says that you will grant me the wisdom I need.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all…”  (James 1:5 NIV)     

I ask for wisdom in knowing how to get by with the money and resources I have.   Show me ways to cut down on expenses, defer payments and manage cash flow.  I know sometimes my pride gets in the way of me asking you or anyone for help, so give me the grace to ask for and receive support and financial help when I need it.    

Help me learn how to take good care of my physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Show me how to stay physically fit, eat well and get a good night’s sleep.   Help me take care of my emotional wellbeing and to seek professional help when I need it.  Keep me close to good friends and engaged in worship, service and prayer.  Keep stress from affecting my relationships with others.  Give me good coping skills.  Remind me that these good health habits I develop now will make a strong foundation for success in my new job.   

Encourage me.  Boost my confidence.  Remind me of all of the things that I have to offer employers.  Show me my personal strengths, experience and skills.   Arm me with determination, perseverance, energy, optimism and a positive attitude.   Develop and enhance my skills in communication, resourcefulness, organization, time management, leadership and problem solving.              

Connect me with good support groups, job networking groups, civic organizations and church fellowships.  And open my eyes to ways I can mentor and encourage someone else who is going through hard times, too.     

Help me to manage my time wisely.  Show me how to stay structured, focused and productive during unemployment.  Help me explore new skills, research ideas and follow leads.  And help me not be discouraged when doors aren’t opening yet.

Expand my horizons and give me vision.  Help me to explore different job sectors I might not have considered yet.  Remind me of dreams and ideas I’ve had in the back of my mind that might lead to employment.  Help me develop a personal mission statement and a vision for my life.

Thank you for each person who has reached out to me and for everyone who is praying for me.  Keep me surrounded by caring, positive people.  May you reward them all!

Help me in my job search.  Enable me each day to take a good step in the right direction.  Keep my eyes on your helping presence and not on my circumstances until the door opens for new employment. 

And finally, remind me when I am working again to thank you for helping me through this time and providing me with a new job.

Amen.

Unemployment Prayer Strategy Worksheet

We highly recommend that you make a personal unemployment prayer worksheet where you write down your specific requests under different subjects to help break down your prayer strategy into smaller parts. This way, you can pray a specific segment at a time without feeling overwhelmed trying to cover everything you need.

Here is a downloadable copy of our unemployment prayer worksheet.

New Employment Worksheet, Word doc

About this unemployment prayer

I wrote this unemployment prayer when millions of people suddenly lost their jobs as a result of a worldwide emergency that caused nonessential businesses to close down.   Although this seems like an extreme case, researchers have found that widespread unemployment comes about in cycles because of a complex set of conditions that are beyond the control of individuals.  Throughout history there have been economic recessions, natural disasters, wars, political movements and technological changes that have caused large numbers of people to face unemployment.   

Unemployment drastically changes our lives.  Psychologists tell us that unemployment can have significant effects on our physical and mental health.  Those who are unemployed face a higher chance of depression and anxiety vs. those who are employed.   Self esteem was also shown to take a huge hit. 

Although agencies and government programs can help us look for a new job and tide us over for a few months while we’re unemployed, personal and emotional support is vital.    

Churches can be a great resource for you when you’re unemployed.  Being in a small group with people who care about you and are praying for you is key to getting through any kind of life crisis.  Not only are churches a great place to be supported and to grow in faith, many offer free programs and ministries to the unemployed.

In my community, churches join together to sponsor a charity that provides rent assistance and help paying utility bills.  They also have a food pantry where you can get canned goods and other food to help ease the strain on your budget while unemployed.  They also offer financial counseling and job skills help.

One of our local churches has a highly successful job ministry for the unemployed that’s great for networking, resume sharing and support.  Most churches have a prayer ministry that accepts and prays for personal requests in a confidential manner.  Many churches offer pastoral counseling and have Stephen Ministry groups that offer free one-on-one care for people going through a life crisis. 

During a previous recession when many people lost jobs, our church had a short term job resume prayer initiative.  We put a notebook in our prayer chapel and invited those seeking jobs to place their resume in the book.  At a later time, prayer ministry team members prayed over the resumes and wrote notations that they had prayed for the person. 

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