Litany To Sanctify Work

I like litanies because, if prayed thoughtfully and slowly, they open a window into self examination ... for me at least. Today I share the litany which Magnificat published years ago and which I have long appreciated.

The Catechism teaches that "daily work ... if ... accomplished in the Spirit -- indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born -- all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (CCC 901). In a spirit of sacrifice, we consecrate our workday to the Lord and pray:

R: Lord, protect me.
From the temptation to be listless and lazy. R
From the temptation to complain. R
From the temptation to be critical of my boss. R
From the temptation to cheat or to be dishonest with others. R
From the temptation to gossip. R
From the temptation to lateness. R
From the temptation to waste time. R
From the temptation to be judgmental of my co-workers. R
From the temptation to procrastinate. R
From the temptation to be jealous or envious of others. R
From the temptation to be hypercritical. R
From the temptation to engage in idle conversation. R
From the temptation to be quick to take offense. R
From the temptation to shift my work onto others. R
From the temptation to impatience. R
From the temptation to cut corners or to be sloppy. R
From the temptation to give in to weariness. R

R: Lord, please grant it.
For the grace to be a peacemaker. R
For the grace to witness to you by word and example. R
For the grace to be energetic and committed. R
For the grace to be compassionate and forgiving. R
For the grace to offer up all tedium and drudgery. R
For the grace to be attentive to those in need. R
For the grace to be generous in sharing. R
For the grace to be prudent in dealing with others. R
For the grace to be kind. R
For the grace to be understanding. R
For the grace to fulfill my responsibilities well. R
For the grace to be patient and persevering. R
For the grace to put myself in others' shoes. R
For the grace to be dedicated and undistracted. R
For the grace to be honest and forthright. R
For the grace to be hard-working. R
For the grace to be free of stress. R
For the grace of insight to solve problems. R
For the grace of industriousness. R
For the grace to resolve conflicts and difficulties. R
For the grace to put up with hardships. R
For the grace to esteem the dignity of my co-workers. R
For the grace to be thankful for the chance to work. R
For the grace to spread the good news of the Gospel. R

Our Father ...