A Prayer on Labor Day by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

 Image generated byChatGPT (OpenAI), September 2026.

Holy One, 

Source of life and love,

on this Labor Day we give thanks

for all whose hands, hearts, and minds

bless our world each day—

those who teach and heal,

build and repair, cook and clean,

plant and harvest, care for young and old,

create beauty, serve communities,

answer endless emails,

and somehow keep smiling through it all!

God of Justice,

bless especially those whose work is unseen,

underpaid, or taken for granted.

Strengthen all who struggle for fair wages,

safe workplaces, equal opportunity,

and the dignity of every worker.

We remember Dorothy Day,

who showed us that love must roll up its sleeves

and get to work for justice.

We give thanks for Gloria Steinem

and generations of women who insist

that women’s work, gifts, leadership, and voices

be equally valued—

including, dear God, in our churches!

And we smile with Dolly Parton,

whose “9 to 5” reminds us

that hard work goes better

with generosity, resilience,

a little laughter—and maybe a good song!

Jesus, worker of Nazareth,

remind us that holiness can be found

at a kitchen table, in a classroom,

a hospital, a garden, a construction site,

behind a desk, on a stage—

wherever love is poured into what we do.

Bless the work of our hands

and the compassion of our hearts.

And today, remind us that rest is holy too.

So may we put down our work,

share a meal, laugh heartily,

and enjoy the gift of one another.

May love guide all we do,

justice give us courage,

and joy keep us dancing along the way!

Amen.

— Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan

Written by Rev. Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan with editorial assistance from ChatGPT (OpenAI), September 2026.