God, our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as I look for suitable employment. I need your wisdom to guide my footsteps along the right path, and to lead me to find the proper things to say and do in this quest. I wish to use the gifts and talents you have given me, but I need the opportunity to do so with gainful employment. Do not abandon me, dear Father, in this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The emergence of Prayer for Employment
The prayer for employment has a long history in the Catholic Church. It is believed that St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, is the patron saint of workers and job seekers.
The prayer to St. Joseph for employment can be traced back to the 15th century. St. Teresa of Avila is said to have prayed to him for employment for her nuns.
In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the patron saint of the Universal Church. This increased the popularity of the prayer for employment and led to more people turning to St. Joseph for help.
In the early 20th century, the prayer for employment spread to the United States, where it became a popular prayer among Catholics seeking work during the Great Depression.
Today, the prayer for employment remains an important part of Catholic tradition. Catholics continue to turn to St. Joseph for help finding work and ask for his intercession in times of unemployment or financial hardship.