A Prayer for Wisdom and Discernment in Our Labor

"Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." - Ecclesiastes 10:9

"Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." - Ecclesiastes 10:{verse.verse_number}

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today, exalting Your name and acknowledging Your sovereignty over all the earth. As we gather in Your presence, we are reminded of the profound wisdom found in the book of Ecclesiastes, particularly in Ecclesiastes 10:9, which states, "Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." Lord, we pause to reflect on this verse, understanding the deeper implications it holds for our lives and endeavors.

In this prayer, Lord, we seek Your guidance as we strive to remove the stones and cleave the wood in our own lives. We understand that the work we engage in—whether it be in our careers, our relationships, or our spiritual journeys—requires caution, diligence, and above all, wisdom. We acknowledge that every task we undertake comes with its risks and challenges, just as removing stones can lead to injury and cleaving wood can result in danger. Help us to approach our work with the awareness of potential peril, remaining circumspect in our actions.

Lord, grant us the wisdom to understand that while hard work is commendable, we must also be aware of the consequences our actions could have on ourselves and others. Sometimes, we may be tempted to rush into our tasks without fully contemplating the consequences of our decisions. Help us, Father, to pause, to think, and to pray for Your insight before we act. Instill in us the importance of careful planning and execution. May we never forget that true diligence includes the burden of responsibility that comes with our actions.

We ask for Your divine wisdom as we navigate difficult situations in our lives. When we encounter obstacles or challenges that seem insurmountable, remind us to seek Your counsel and not to rely solely on our understanding. Help us to look to You for guidance in every area where we are in danger of being hurt.

Lord, as we cleave wood, whether it be figuratively or literally, help us to recognize our limits. Teach us to respect the tools we use and to understand that our actions carry weight that can affect not only our lives but also those of others around us. May we approach our labor with a spirit of humility and caution, knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, yet we also carry the weight of our choices.

We also pray for those who labor alongside us. May we work together in unity and mutual respect, encouraging one another to exercise wisdom in all that we do. Help us not to disregard the well-being of others, bearing in mind that our actions might have repercussions we cannot foresee. Fill our hearts with compassion and discernment as we engage with those around us, ensuring that we do not unwittingly cause harm in our pursuit of productivity.

Moreover, Father, help us to build a community that values wisdom and foresight over haste and recklessness. Instill in our hearts the desire to support one another in our endeavors, creating an environment where we can share insights and lessons learned from past mistakes. May we foster a spirit of collaboration, learning from each other, thus minimizing the risks we all face in our labor.

In our everyday lives, we seek Your protection and guidance as we step into the challenges ahead. Uphold us, Lord, and keep us safe as we strive to be diligent and wise in our work. In moments of uncertainty, remind us that You are our stronghold and refuge.

We thank You for Your unwavering love and the wisdom You impart to us, guiding us through every challenge we face. May we always walk in Your ways and learn to be more circumspect in our actions.

In Jesus' mighty name, we pray,

Amen.

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Ecclesiastes 10:9 Artwork

Ecclesiastes 10:9 - "Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby."

Ecclesiastes 10:9 - "Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby."

"Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." - Ecclesiastes 10:9

"Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby." - Ecclesiastes 10:9

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."

Ecclesiastes 10:10 - "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct."

Ecclesiastes 10:10 - "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct."

Ecclesiastes 3:9 - "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?"

Ecclesiastes 3:9 - "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?"

Ecclesiastes 7:9 - "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

Ecclesiastes 7:9 - "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

Ecclesiastes 10:6 - "Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place."

Ecclesiastes 10:6 - "Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place."

Ecclesiastes 10:11 - "Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better."

Ecclesiastes 10:11 - "Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better."

Ecclesiastes 5:9 - "¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."

Ecclesiastes 5:9 - "¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."

Ecclesiastes 6:9 - "¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit."

Ecclesiastes 6:9 - "¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit."

Ecclesiastes 4:9 - "¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour."

Ecclesiastes 4:9 - "¶ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour."

Ecclesiastes 10:18 - "¶ By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through."

Ecclesiastes 10:18 - "¶ By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through."

Ecclesiastes 10:19 - "¶ A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things."

Ecclesiastes 10:19 - "¶ A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things."

Ecclesiastes 9:4 - "¶ For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion."

Ecclesiastes 9:4 - "¶ For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion."

Ecclesiastes 9:8 - "Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment."

Ecclesiastes 9:8 - "Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment."

Ecclesiastes 9:18 - "Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good."

Ecclesiastes 9:18 - "Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good."

Ecclesiastes 10:12 - "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself."

Ecclesiastes 10:12 - "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself."

Ecclesiastes 10:13 - "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness."

Ecclesiastes 10:13 - "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness."

Ecclesiastes 10:2 - "A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left."

Ecclesiastes 10:2 - "A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left."

Ecclesiastes 9:13 - "¶ This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:"

Ecclesiastes 9:13 - "¶ This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:"

Ecclesiastes 10:5 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:"

Ecclesiastes 10:5 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:"

Ecclesiastes 12:10 - "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth."

Ecclesiastes 12:10 - "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth."

Ecclesiastes 10:15 - "The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city."

Ecclesiastes 10:15 - "The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city."

Ecclesiastes 10:7 - "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth."

Ecclesiastes 10:7 - "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth."

Ecclesiastes 3:10 - "I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it."

Ecclesiastes 3:10 - "I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it."

Ecclesiastes 5:10 - "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."

Ecclesiastes 5:10 - "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."

Ecclesiastes 9:17 - "The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools."

Ecclesiastes 9:17 - "The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools."

Ecclesiastes 10:16 - "¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!"

Ecclesiastes 10:16 - "¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!"