Prosper the Work of Our Hands

Louisa Ann Irene Ikena reflects on prosperity and work in light of Psalm 90:17.

May the favor of the Lord our God be ours,
Prosper the work of our hands!
Prosper the work of our hands! (Ps 90:17)

The word prosper, according to Dictionary.com, is defined as—to be successful or fortunate; thrive; flourish. Its etymology is Latin, from prosperus—doing well—and properare—to do well. In every aspect of life, as far as I can see, I desire to do well, to proper. Physically I desire to live and adapt and be healthy. Financially I desire to live within my means and be a blessing to others. Emotionally I desire to learn and grow. Socially I desire to give and to receive and to be a part of. Spiritually I desire to connect with God through prayer and meditation and to learn and serve. In short, I desire prosperity in my life.

We need God’s help to truly prosper at any work we set our minds to. Although very true, I find that fact very easy to forget. Asking for help is not the easiest thing in the world. It’s only when I try to do things by my own power alone … and fail miserably, that I remember to ask God for help.

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Is there anything, any work, that does not need to be blessed by God in order to prosper? There’s work at a job we get paid to do. There are detailed tasks within said job to take care of. And there are distractions from tasks that, at times, can become as important as the job itself. For example, in the job I currently do in the health care field, the spontaneous conversations and rapport building that take place with clients are just as important as the tasks getting done. A smile, a kind word, or a well-timed joke are just as healing, if not more, than prescribed medication to give. I invite God in, ask for the Holy Spirit’s holy guidance, and allow God’s presence to flow through me. In order to be an effective conduit, I need to empty myself of me. I must decrease and He must increase (John 3:30).

As I stare at empty lines on a page, I take a moment to stand back in awe. Something is being created out of nothing. Lord, You are constantly creating something out of nothing. And You have given us the same ability. We can create out of nothing. Creative words on a page can flow out of our pens. Encouraging words can flow from our lips. I can hold this truth in one hand and pray to never forget to hold in the other hand that “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5b). Apart from the vine a branch becomes a lifeless twig. Lord, help me cling to You as a branch clings to its vine, its source of life. You are the Vine. We are the branches (cf. John 15:5a).

How do I cling to the Vine? How do I cling to Jesus? I immerse myself in Sacred Scripture, in the Sacraments, in prayer and meditation, in gratitude, in fellowship and holy friendships, and in service.

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How does clinging to Jesus relate to work? Jesus is our Source of help, our Savior, our All in All. When I cling to Him, I’ve given myself a shot at doing well. I’m talking about being prosperous emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually, in addition, God willing, to financially. There are many, many aspects to the quality of our lives. Why not ask Our Lord to bless then all?

Click to tweet:
It’s only when I try to do things by my own power alone … and fail miserably, that I remember to ask God for help. #catholicmom

Jesus turns our definition of success upside down. He was and is the most successful man in history. He lived among us more than 2000 years ago and lives among us today. He died an excruciating death on a Roman cross, and conquered sin and death forevermore through His glorious Resurrection. Yes, God became man, and was and is the most prosperous man ever. He saved the world.

Following Your lead, Lord, I pray: prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!

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