Our chaplains visit a range of businesses, from high street chains to sole traders. When people fall sick and cannot work it is this last group that has least support. For someone effectively self-employed, not working means not earning. For employees, the safety net of SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) provides some protection, but adds costs for employers. Long term sickness drives people out of employment, to become dependent on sickness and disability payments, at a time when government budgets are under enormous pressure.[1]
And often it is the pressures of work that cause sickness in the first place. One recent report showed 27% of days lost to sickness in the NHS, in November 2024, were due to anxiety, stress or depression.[2] So this month the theme for our prayer guide is sickness and work. As a sign of God’s Kingdom come, Jesus often healed the sick, as also, after Pentecost, did the apostles, in his name (Acts 3 & 5 v15-16). As his disciples today, filled with the Holy Spirit, may our prayers, and the care of our chaplains, continue to bring Christ’s healing and life to those at work.
Heavenly Father, whose Son Jesus healed the sick
and brought peace to those who were anxious and afraid;
hear our prayers for all who suffer through injury and sickness as a result of their work.
Keep safe those whose work is dangerous;
sustain those who find their work onerous or stressful;
uphold those who cannot work.
And give to, all in their work, fulfilment that leads to wellbeing and flourishing.
Amen.
Especially we pray for:
- People who are unable to work due to sickness, either mental or physical. (Be specific, praying for healing and peace for people you know, and for their families and dependents).
- Those whose work is the cause of sickness – those injured in the course of their work; those anxious because of the pressures of responsibility of their work, or due to difficult work relationships or bullying.
- Self-employed people, and other sole traders for whom periods of sickness and injury mean no income.
- Colleagues of workers on long term sickness, having to provide cover.
- Occupational health professionals, GPs and others as they care for people whose work impacts their health, and managers in establishing policies and programmes to promote healthy workplaces.
- FWW Chaplains in their support and care for those who are burdened by work and become sick, especially where chaplains are not able to see people because they are absent from the workplace.
- FWW trustees at their quarterly meeting this month (25th).
- In our cycle of prayer for the work of FWW, volunteers and staff, this month we pray for FWW Trustees – Chris Harvey (Chair), Anthony Glossop (Treasurer), Stuart Sandys (Secretary), Paul Lawlor, Christine Dodd, and Martin Allen, and for new trustees to be appointed.
[1] Spending Review: ‘It’s going to be ugly’ say Whitehall insiders – BBC News
[2] NHS Sickness Absence Rates, November 2024 – NHS England Digital
