Mighty God, thank you for the job of this day. May we find gladness in all its toil and difficulty, its pleasure and success, and even in its failure and sorrow. We would look always away from ourselves, and behold the glory and the need of the world that we may have the will and the strength to bring the gift of gladness to others; that with them we stand to bear the burden and heat of the day and offer you the praise of work well done. Amen.

Text by Bishop Charles Lewis Slattery, early 20th century. Photo of a nightclub worker in Austin, Texas, in February, 1987.

Photo copyright 1987 Danny N. Schweers.