Heavenly Father, you have blessed our weekday work both by your own work of creation and by your Son’s labor at a carpenter’s bench: give the nation’s leaders the wisdom to solve common problems. Enable those of us with work to do, not only to find fulfillment in it ourselves but also to enjoy the privilege of cooperating with your design and providence in the serving of our neighbors. Save us from the thorns and thistles and frustration due to our own sins and those who sin against us as we work, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.