I Prayed have prayed
Loving Father, You are the Father of light and I thank You that I am Your child. Help me always to walk in the light of Your truth, live in the light of Your love and reflect the Light of the Lord Jesus.
Reading Time: 5 minutes

The Biden Administration boasts of a robust economy, transitory inflation, and near record-low unemployment. Likewise, our corporate-owned news outlets tout a booming job market, rising wages, and a promising financial horizon.

However, despite what the teleprompter operators are told to type, anyone who has recently pushed a shopping cart through a store can attest:  Prices are high, products are scarce, and no one is stocking the shelves.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg blustered there are no problems with the Supply Chain.  Instead, he purports any vacuous shelves are due to greedy Americans who have a ravenous addiction to buying tchotchkes.

Is this the most thoughtful analysis we can get?

Today’s published inflation rate is 7.5%.  But be aware, the Consumer Price Index methodology has been significantly modified since the double-digit inflation days of Jimmy Carter.  In 1980, inflation soared at 13.5%.  If that same calculation was used today, which includes housing prices, the prime-time teleprompters would display we are experiencing inflation rates higher than 1980.

CNBC’s 66-year-old investment Jedi Master, Jim Kramer, recently decreed, “This is the strongest economy, perhaps, I have ever seen.”  Seemingly, The Force has left Jedi Kramer as quickly as the Job Force is leaving America.

Nicholas Eberstadt, a political economist at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote an insightful piece that exposes a very definite and dismaying trend:  The American workforce is shrinking.

By 1961, labor force participation for prime-age men (age 25-54) was 96.9%.  Today, that number has plummeted to 88%.  This may not seem excessive, but a drop of this magnitude is unprecedented and means that almost one in eight men is sitting out during his best years.

“Would we think it was a crisis if the work rate fell below the Great Depression level?” Mr. Eberstadt asks. “Well, you can check that box. We’re already there.”

This statement alone should seize all of our attention.

The numbers for women are only slightly better.  Despite a fifty-year low for both traditional marriage and childbearing, workforce participation has dropped to 75%.  Some say the feminist movement convincingly discouraged women from raising children to pursue a more meaningful career.  If that is the case, where did they all go?

“This is no joke”, said Eberstadt.  “Thirty years ago, America’s prime workforce was 10 percentage points above Europe.  Today, Europe is a few points above America.”

Of course, the SARS-CoV-2 lockdowns and mandates introduced a dramatically negative impact on the job market. But the fact remains; the Great Resignation from the American workforce started long before the pandemic.  Which begs the question:  What’s everybody doing instead of working?

Watching screens.

Conservative estimates project non-workforce participants spend over seven hours a day interfacing with — pixels.  Whether social media feeds, video games, streaming services, or general mobile device fixation, yesterday’s leisure has become today’s career.

“This is not what Marx would have called the ‘higher pursuits’ of leisure.”   Mr. Eberstadt says. “There’s something fundamentally degrading about this.”

Exactly how is this mass degradation of the human soul being funded?  Eberstadt places the bulk of the blame at the feet of bloated government programs.  Distributed like an appetite suppressant for hard work, the increasing size and availability of government benefits and disability programs have certainly kept people out of the workforce.

But are the plethora of government benefits truly beneficial?

Quoting the Apostle Paul, a hard-core Puritan Work Ethic response could end the discussion right now:

If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat

II Thessalonians, 3:10

But is the primary benefit of work merely survival?

I have worked in the Corporate IT sector my entire adult life.  In my early years, I maintained a sharp distinction between the secular and the sacred.  After all, once Adam sinned in the garden, wasn’t work deemed a curse to us?  After the Lord’s pronouncement of thorns, thistles, and buckets of sweat, Solomon later wrote:  to find enjoyment from one’s work is a gift from God. 

Meaning, the normal course of a career is designed to be unenjoyable.

Based on my flawed theology, being a Christian in the workplace essentially meant:  Don’t pad your expense reports, refrain from laughing at coarse humor in the break room, and never go out for drinks after work.

But when the whistle blew, I would race to my nightly church meetings where I could finally engage with the Kingdom of God.

Work was secular and the church was sacred.

Or is it?

Elohim blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply.  Fill the earth and subdue it!

And:

Elohim took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.

~Genesis 1 and 2

The Creation account starts in Genesis 1. The fall of mankind starts in chapter 3.

If your Bible starts in Genesis 3, work is a cursed punishment.  If your Bible begins in Genesis 1, work is a gift and blessing from God intended to make life on Earth more abundant and prosperous.

Universities have convinced an entire generation that capitalism is the most oppressive and corrupt system on the planet.  Can you blame so many for not participating in such an evil system?

What these same universities fail to disclose is:  Capitalism is the only system that is proven to lift the entire globe from abject poverty.  As recently as 1981, 53% of the planet lived on a dollar or less per day.  By 2011, that number was reduced to 17%.

Socialism, Communism, and Totalitarianism can only run and hide from such facts.

Steven Pinker and Bjorn Lomborg have written smart and insightful content on this topic.  So before you jettison from the workforce in allegiance to some flimsy social justice tenet, stop to consider this:  Your lack of participation in our first world economy will severely punish our brothers and sisters in the impoverished third world.

But, there is a much deeper, more personal human component few dare to admit:  A lack of meaningful work diminishes and dissolves our sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth.  Human beings are the only living creatures created in the image of God.  Inherent within the attributes of His divine nature is the propensity to create, renovate and transform the environments we find ourselves in.

If you think work is superfluous, consider this:

God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it He ceased from all the work He had been doing in creation.

~ Genesis 2:3

Some Jewish rabbis translate this verse most profoundly.  For six days, Elohim spoke all of creation into existence, and on the seventh day; He inhaled.

Our ability to breathe deep the power of rest is rarely holy and rewarding unless it is preceded by the diligent labor of creative, benevolent initiatives.

I have a kneeler in my office.  The business I own today was birthed on that kneeler.  Sometimes, before I dial into a meeting or write an email, I will spend time on my knees until I sense an impartation of wisdom for the moment.

Some sessions are a brief drive-thru while others are an extended detailing.  Regardless, I always try to seek the Kingdom to see the sacred in the secular.

Those who willfully subscribe to workforce resignation may have fleeting moments of pleasure, but the torment that develops from a lack of purpose will not only narrow their soul but also rob the Earth of the gift of their contribution.

May we all gratefully embrace the divine calling of work.  May we all realize that whether our contributions are public or private, these contributions are vital and beneficial to many.  And may we cultivate and release our gifts to tend well and cultivate the garden The Lord has placed us in.

How does this lead you to pray? Please share in the comments.

(Keith Guinta blogs at The Wine Patch. Photo Credit: Unsplash)

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Joe
February 25, 2022

I totally agree. And add that if the Lord gave me a job that takes up so much of my daily time, I assume He has a plan to build His kingdom by it. There is no way to separate God from business. I would refer to Jeremiah, God has a plan and a purpose for you, and it will probably be found in the thing you are already doing 8hrs a day.

Herb Johnston
February 16, 2022

There are those that are willing to work if they could find something to do within their physical limitations that come upon us in an older age.

Lord I pray that you would help our hands to be purposeful ..and diligent- in our walk with you.
in Jesus name, Amen

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Herb Johnston
February 16, 2022

From today’s broadcast -, I thank you guys again for the work you do.. to bring us this information-,to pray over, through, and be aware of. However, on this issue of America staying home, and doing nothing.. but -,staring at screens.. remember that is what we are doing right now. We are not out in the workforce interacting with people, because Obama spent eight years ruining the economy. And people were just barely getting back on their feet in the two or three years or maybe even four years that President Trump was putting things back together.
But to say that everybody was overjoyed about being S
shackled by government stimulus being shoved down their throats,..”I just decided to stay home and watch Netflix or whatever”,-, I don’t believe that-,and I don’t believe that we should just quote whatever study comes along.. I believe that even up there in the Eastern Seaboard, and in all of those blue demo States, where the educated christian classes are so genteel-,. that even there.. that the traditional American work ethic is inculcated deeply into the Earth-,and the lives, ..of Americans. We have all been overwhelmed by the spiritual darkness and tyranny of our Lives being taken over by years of carefully crafted demonic forces, being grafted into the ground and the spirituality of America,( and Keith, yes-,you are correct, most pastors have not held a full-time job in the private sector ), or the workplace, rendering them disconnected . This was among be more obvious factors that became apparent when God closed all of those churches-, that were not involved in being Salt and Light and their own Civic Arena.
So while I see that you are a very well-educated man and very gifted at crafting your thoughts into an article-,that I do appreciate ..which does help us to understand the landscape,of how we should present ourselves-,to the world.. and how we should pray about these things, I find I cannot disagree with you more on the deleterious state.. with which you have equated us to. This is the same mindset that has been so prevalent in the churches that have traditionally abandoned their responsibilities to us, and have finally culminated in there final “wagging of their bony finger at us” for our sins.. and yes it is true that we trusted our pastors,- we trusted their teaching,-and we trusted our lifestyles,- and for the concurrent 50 years we had been warned that we were getting fat and lazy- and we did respond too late..( if at all)and now we are paying for that.. But let it not be ignored.. that the great evil, that came upon us, between 2008 and 2015.. and it’s been a long ugly road getting out .. and if you want to know the truth- it will be another probably 40 years before America crawls out from the hole that it is in – , but there are many prophets and pastors who believe that God is digging us out.. and America shall be saved.. does that sound familiar-,one of those prophets and pastors.. appears on these pages sometimes. Please be careful about scolding your own countryman.. your own fellow sheep-your own flock-, for we have borne the scars and wounds that are the result of church life for many many years, in fact- “for decades”-which is, of course, the current popular terminology for measuring anything these days ..decades.

Lord, I pray you would have mercy all of us all , as it has become so painfully obvious that we are buried in our own over-analyzation,..the onslaught of evil and tyranny that has manifested in a full-blown harvest-.. Lord help us to stay thankful and to remain in a state of humility.. as we continue to strive to seek you in prayer.. and in your Word,-and I do thank you for your glorious Word.. Lord let us …*Not-..become,..what we are warning against.. but let us not grow weary in well-doing- and help us to stay focused on You..that you could fill us with your Holy Spirit continually. Lord, Personally I have found the writing of Derek Prince to be of great assistance in guiding me to passages in Ephesians and 1st and 2nd Corinthians and Deuteronomy about the lifting of curses. Lord I Thank you for Intercessors for America-,so graciously providing me with these resources and their continued work here, in these columns, Lord. And, Lord, if there is another way for us to communicate besides these ever present and almost curs-ed screens.. please let us know about that.. because many of us would sure be grateful to apply our efforts to another medium-, that does not burn our eyes out.
In the mighty Name of Jesus Amen.

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Fran
February 15, 2022

Lift the mask mandates and the other mandates and I believe people would be back at work. We need to keep praying and thank the Lord for hope.

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    Herb Johnston
    February 16, 2022

    Hi Fran..
    I, for one, do not believe, that most people are out of work just as a whim.. because they decided to live on the stimulus ..or other government handouts. I believe that people have been coerced.. manipulated, lied to, and worse.. And the workplace has become a weaponized tool to intimidate the average citizen.. instead of a place where we can live out our blessing of being called to work-,and yes n sometimes we fall short ..of letting it get to close of to being a curse. But overall I agree with you.. If they stopped.. just stopped- harassing us.. most people wouldn’t go back to work gladly. It is our heritage, it is our Legacy. We must continue the fight against evil, darkness, and Satan

    3
      Gwendolyn Thomas
      February 27, 2022

      I am one who lost a deeply loved career (nursing) due to mandates, and every day since October has been grief-filled as I try to decipher next steps It’s. Awful. Not working has stolen much joy and satisfaction.

Nancy from GA
February 15, 2022

My dear late husband wanted to serve God since he was a small boy. When he was growing up he thought that could only be accomplished by being a member of clergy, serving as a priest or minister. As he walked with the Lord, God showed him the sacredness of work. He used to refer to it as “ministry in the marketplace”. He learned after many trials that God wasn’t calling him into the clergy but wanted him to serve Him in the marketplace, doing his work as unto the Lord. He taught so many men and women the value of work and the witness that one has to their fellow employees as well as their customers. Thank you, Keith, for this great article on the value of work.

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Vincent
February 15, 2022

The ambivalence about the nature of work which on the one hand allows us to participate in our heavenly Father’s glorious creation through Christ our Lord and on the other puts a secular albatross around the neck because of its frequent drudgery and secular burdens is enmeshed in the tension between soul and body. Saint Ambrose states that the soul must be king of the body while Saint Francis of Assisi candidly refers to the body as “brother ass” with the implication that our bodies and the work that they produce must be ordered to the highest good which is the love of God for himself. May our families endeavor to live holy lives in the home which is where the real work is done so that the Lord’s grace can be manifested in the larger arena of our cities, states and country.

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    Herb Johnston
    February 16, 2022

    😊..never heard that before..the reference to a mule

Victoria Z
February 15, 2022

Father, in the name of Jesus, we trust you to put the precise prayers and scriptures into the hearts, minds, spirits, and mouths of your intecessors that will break the yoke of this administration and the elite off of our nation once for all, Father we know you honor your word and can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or thin, set our natiin free from Joe Biden and all who have joined together against us to destroy our nation and our freedom, do it Father, Psalm 94 says you chastise the heathen. Chastise this administration and all who support them and free us from their plots and tyranny. we thank and praise you for doing it and more, exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think.

psalm 94:7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?

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Joyce Swingle
February 15, 2022

Thank you Keith. This is a very insightful and important analysis of our current relationship with work and the redemption “work” has in the Kingdom. Thank you! Blessings.

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    Rich Swingle
    February 15, 2022

    I agree with my bride! And great job on Pray with Others Live covering this and other articles. Keep shining the Light!

    In Christ alone,
    Rich

    3
Grannie
February 15, 2022

Thank you for this article.
I was wondering how the 800,000 deaths from the covid jab has contributed to the lack of workforce? I understand that many are older but older people do have jobs too. Those jobs are often not preferred by the younger, career climbing youth.
I pray that peace will rule over this world In the name of Jesus.

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    Herb Johnston
    February 16, 2022

    I’ll bet most people dont know about those 800, 000 deaths..I read that in Brighteon.com..authored by Mike Adams- ” health Ranger”
    Have you ever noticed that when they are warning us against the poison Jab,- that often they will say” “of course unless you are a senior”.. think about that. I am a senior as well. So being as how-,we are aware.. that the poison jab,-is-,..poison ….Why would we counsel one of our most vulnerable groups..to get a poison Jab.. let that sink in
    Blessings..Hj

Brian lynch
February 15, 2022

Do you REALLY think that Biden, or those idiots in his administration, will tell you the truth? All they are any good for, is creating crises, and trying to destroy the nation. Lord, please, stop these mislead government officials from further destroying this country. I bind the evil spirits behind this debauchery, I loose a spirit of patriotism and peace over our nation. In Jesus’ name.

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Kevin Willingham
February 15, 2022

My wife and I don’t believe in retirement. It’s a blessing to work and we will do so until we can’t. Don’t get me wrong we do get tired but it’s worth it. Our jobs are a gift from God no doubt!

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    Herb Johnston
    February 16, 2022

    Agreed.
    For me..the body..physical balance..and physical/ mental balance/perception..gave out.
    Still looking for something..the Lord may have for me

ML
February 15, 2022

Amen.
P.S., God commanded Adam and Eve ( “them”—Gen. 1:26), to have dominion over the fish , the birds, the cattle, every creeping thing…Gen.1:26-31. To me that means stewardship.
That stewardship was lost at the fall, but through His crucifixion, death and resurrection, Jesus became the “second Adam” ( I Corinthians 15:45-49), and through Him , that stewardship and authority was restored.
That stewardship represents care, provision, development and prosperity….. not the dominion and subjugation of mankind to totalitarian forms of government who have not God.
I believe that through Christ we’re restored to that mandate of stewardship and are being taught by God to function in that authority…..” Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it…”.

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Barbara Janicki
February 15, 2022

yes, work, productivity and purpose were given to mankind before the fall. Work was never meant to be a curse, but a blessing. Paul said, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Every part of our life is God’s and therefore sacred – there need be no divide, God uses us in our work places for His glory. How sad our children our being taught that capitalism (working) is evil – and that being dependent on a corrupt, evil and tyrannical government is preferrable to being responsible for oneself and one’s choices. We work to fulfill our God given purpose (Eph. 2:10) and so that we can be generous with those in need. Our country being founded on Godly principles, was built because of the strong work ethic of all those who came here, from the first pilgrims, to the pioneers, to all the immigrants that have come over the years, only desiring a chance to be free to work – and they have all proven extremely hard, industrious workers. Something for nothing destroys all personal incentive and any desire to pursue excellence in any field. We all know our children do better if they have to work for something than if we simply give them everything. Work builds character while providing purpose and allowing people to reach potential they didn’t know they had until they were put to the test. Our government is lying to us about this economy being robust – we have our real life experience to tell us otherwise. A return to God and a return to His principles (including work) is the way out of this mess. Ironic that we were a country founded on God and hard work and now we have abandoned both. More screen time (withdrawal) is not the answer. “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray” http://www.mtothe5th.wordpress.com

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    Herb Johnston
    February 16, 2022

    I say we all get rid of all screens, phones..and all devices

Jodi
February 15, 2022

Lord as I sit and have a front row seat to see the youth of today not applying effort to work on their spiritual, moral or physical character I pray Lord that you would change the hearts of this generation and work within them that they might see the need to participate in each of these areas. Furthermore Lord I pray that you would fill in the gaps where the businesses need help Lord to endure this time of uncertainty. I pray that you would prompt the hearts of those around to get motivated to step in and apply great effort to work diligently to contribute to our state of affairs in America. I also pray as the economy has been affected by the lie Covid that you would bring about change to get people that want to work back into positions of working. I pray that the mandates and the “Vaccination” requirements would be set aside in order to bring about healthy economy once again in America. I pray Jesus you would help us to live as you lived on this earth. I pray forgiveness for the apathy that we have had in our own workplaces.

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Jerry Saunders
February 15, 2022

May God continue to bless your life as you walk with Him. I too, used to separate work and my Christian life. Until I saw the Grace of God spotlighted in my life. Since then, I have done my work, “as unto the Lord”‘ Thank you for your truthful, non-aggressive article. I have prayed for you.

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Amy
February 15, 2022

Amen!

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Mary Capp
February 15, 2022

Father, we see signs everywhere that say “now hiring or help wanted” We know there are those who need jobs, but have been told capitalism is corrupt and they way of the adversary is better, but they have not been told the entire truth. Many people have been deceived by the adversary and call that which is evil good and that which is good evil. We can see signs that your return is close and many believers are unprepared. Help us that we may all be prepared for your return and give us strength to follow you.

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