That our works may find favor in your sight.

This is the congregational response to the Prayers of the People Form III in the Book of Common Prayer, used in the Episcopal Church.  The intercessor or priest says; "Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake."  Followed by the congregational response, "That our works may find favor in your sight."  This then poses the question; Are your works favorable?  Sure everyone wants to be commended on a job well done from their colleagues and superiors, but is the work that we are called to do favorable in the eyes of God?  It's something to ponder, huh?

Whatever your vocation, student, teacher, priest, fortune 500 CEO, attorney, doctor, artist or politician, we have been endued with a level of grace in which to function in those capacities to the glory of God and overall betterment of society.  Are your works favorable?  Do you acknowledge and accept the fact that there is a force far greater than your limitations and intellect at work in you and through you?  Do you purpose in your heart to do your job to the glory of God that someone else may be blessed in the process?  Are your works favorable?  Just as the human body has many parts that function independently, they all have a common goal and purpose, to enable us to function in society and give God glory.

I love Form III of the Prayers of the People, there is nothing left out.  The prayer begins with an intercession for the Church-at-large, the membership of the church.  Then the prayer transitions into the church leadership (bishops, priests, deacons and ministers), the national government, and other nations as well as peace, the bereaved and distressed, and those that have gone from labor to reward.  The challenge for today is to take time and evaluate whether or not if your works are favorable, both seculary and spiritually.

"Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake,
That our works may find favor in your sight."

Are your works favorable?

Peace,
Karsten