Does a business owner need prayer for their business?

Does a business owner need prayer for their business?

I have observed that many business owners seek counsel from their spouse, employees, business cohorts, and different avenues before they seek the Lord. I have also noticed that many of the same business owners struggle with running their business.

Personally, I find myself guilty of doing the very same thing. When I do approach the Lord in prayer, I find myself praying privately as opposed to openly and corporately.

Last year I was very fortunate to come across a successful business and life coach who highly recommended the book, "God@Work: Discovering the Anointing for Business" by Rich Marshall.

The book was very inspiring and moved me to begin seeking the Lord for my business. Rich Marshall is a pioneer among church leaders and he writes about the importance of prayer in business.

He teaches how a business owner can pray openly with their staff for the success of not only their business but also their employees. The testimony of Jeremiah Lanphier, who started the Business Man's Revival, was truly impressive.

In 1857, Lanphier organized "Marketplace Lighthouse of Prayer" in New York. It started off as a weekly prayer meeting from noon to 1pm, and within one month, business owners decided to meet daily.

Suddenly, prayer meetings were being held across the nation. A revival had begun in the marketplace. The following was the handbill that was passed out by Lanphier:

HOW OFTEN SHALL I PRAY?

As often as the language of prayer is in my heart; as often as I see my need of help; as often as I feel the power of temptation; as often as I am made sensible of any spiritual declension or feel the aggression of a worldly spirit.

In prayer we leave the business of time for that of eternity, and intercourse with men for intercourse with God.

A day Prayer Meeting is held every Wednesday, from 12 to 1 o'clock, in the Consistory building in the rear of the North Dutch Church, corner of Fulton and William Streets (entrance from Fulton and Ann Streets).

This meeting is intended to give merchants, mechanics, clerks, strangers, and business men generally an opportunity to stop and call upon God amid the perplexities incident to their respective avocations. It will continue for one hour; but it is also designed for those who may find it inconvenient to remain more than five or ten minutes, as well as for those who can spare the whole hour.

Accordingly at twelve noon, 23rd September, 1857 the door was opened and the faithful Lanphier took his seat to await the response to his invitation …. Five minutes went by. No one appeared.

The missionary paced the room in a conflict of fear and faith. Ten minutes elapsed. Still no one came. Fifteen minutes passed. Lanphier was yet alone.

Twenty minutes; twenty-five; thirty; and then at 12.30 p.m., a step was heard on the stairs, and the first person appeared, then another, and another, and another, until six people were present and the prayer meeting began.

On the following Wednesday, October 7th, there were forty intercessors.Thus in the first week of October 1857, it was decided to hold a meeting daily instead of weekly ….

Within six months, ten thousand business menwere gathering daily for prayer in New York, and within two years, a million converts were added to the American churches ….

Undoubtedly the greatest revival in New York's colourful history was sweeping the city, and it was of such an order to make the whole nation curious. There was no fanaticism, no hysteria, simply an incredible movement of the people to pray.

(From J. Edwin Orr, The Light of the Nations pp. 103-105)

I have seen prayer work in my life and in my business. If I pray and ask in Jesus' name AND if it is a part of God's will, my prayers are answered. I have witnessed prayer work in other business owners' lives and their businesses over the last year.

After reading the book, "God@Work, Discovering the Anointing for Business", I have decided to start a prayer meeting at my office every Friday from 12 to 1 PM. We have been meeting for about 3 weeks now.

The purpose of the meeting is to come together and pray for what we need in our business and our lives. Our agenda is simple: Fellowship time, worship song, opening prayer, prayer needs, and closing prayer. We are waiting to see how God answers our prayers.

To answer the question, "Does a business owner need prayer for their business?" I definitely say, "ABSOLUTELY!"

Private prayer is important, but there is something different when other business people come together and pray and intercede for you. It is very powerful!

If you are a business owner or a business person and you have Fridays from 12 to 1 PM open, come to my office and pray with us. Let's come together and pray for one of another.

If you are interested in attending our prayer meeting, please comment on this post and leave your contact information. I will contact you and personally invite you to our prayer meeting.

If you are interested in purchasing the book, click the link below (amazon affiliate).