My New Business Prayer Habit

I have always believed in praying for my business.  As a Christian in business, I believe that God cares about our whole life, including our business, just as I believe my faith is the focal point of all of my life, including my business.  In the last month, I have begun a new business prayer habit.

I have never felt that praying for business is a discipline that I need to check off each day.  I have never felt that way about prayer, period.  To me, when it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing, that means it is a natural part of life, like breathing.  We pray about everything and anything at any time and all of the time.

However, business prayer for me at times is intentional too because of my need to have God as the focal point of my life.  I am human and distraction can pull me away from proactively praying.  Then I realize I am back to working in my own strength.  Red flags start to wave.  I am headed for rough waters.

If I stay proactive, I stay focused on God’s path and plan and He works in me and through me.  At least much more than when I am not intentional.  Unfortunately, I still take over at times.

New Business Prayer Habit

So, to be intentional, I started a new habit.  I usually read the bible, or a spiritual book that includes scripture, in the morning and write in a journal.  I write everything to God.  I usually just start with stream of conscious writing and it could be about any topic on my heart or mind, but before I finish, my new habit is to pray over my full day.

I will actually pull up my calendar and list each meeting I have.  I see clients all day, so I am usually making a list of the clients I will see that day.

Sometimes I may be praying that the Holy Spirit will be present and His guidance and words will be said in the meeting.  Other times I have a specific prayer request for that person I am meeting with.  I try to write down my prayer for the person.  I include praying for myself for the day.  That I can be a vessel for the Lord and not let myself get in the way.  I pray for strength if I am tired, patience if I’ve been frustrated, or whatever is needed to get me following God’s path.

Ultimately, I pray that:

• the Holy Spirit will be present and guiding the day.
• I will get out of the way and follow the Holy Spirit.
• clients and team members will be blessed with God’s will for their lives in this day and in their future.
• I will be intentional to stay focused on my faith and Christian values in my actions.

This sounds all purposeful and Holy.  I have to confess up front that sometimes I crash through God’s will like a bull in a china shop by saying something that was totally me, not Him.  Or by following a business strategy that is secular.  Or by taking urgent control of a meeting or conversation.

This happens still far more than I care to admit.

Business Prayer Impacts Us Over Time

However, now that I have been doing this for several weeks, I have seen a distinct shift in my work back to following God, and considering His view, on all of my business activities and conversations.

Which is better…much better…than before.  I used to pray before each client, and God has blessed our business so that it is hard with back to back clients to fit it in purposefully.  However, I am now also trying to take a point in the day and re-focus myself through five or ten minutes of prayer.  When this happens it is always a wonderful day.

I find that although I am being intentional about praying for my business it is not in a rote, check off the list, manner.  I am being proactive to make the time to seek the One who is in control, who will guide me, and who I cannot live without, because it is He whom I am working for anyway.  He is the purpose and He is the way.

Try it for yourself and let me know if you begin to see a shift in your business too.