But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. – 1 John 1:7
The Supreme Court issued its decision in the case of Lochner v. New York on this date in 1905. The court had heard the case to determine whether or not the New York law known as the Bakeshop Act was constitutional. The statute prohibited bakers from working more than 60 hours per week, or 10 hours per day. The court ultimately ruled that the law was not in line with the Fourteenth Amendment. Because of this precedent, Americans are afforded “freedom of contract,” allowing individuals and groups to make contracts without government restrictions. This topic is a consistently debated topic to this day, as elected officials weigh the freedoms offered within the Constitution against the goal of protecting workers from unfair labor practices. Today, ask that God would guide federal and state legislators as they address the U.S. workforce.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For the justices of the Supreme Court to be aware of precedents as they weigh the constitutionality of cases.
- For officials in the Labor Department as OSHA as they enforce federal regulations on employers and workforce safety.
