Continuing on with our Bible verses for business Mondays, today let’s look at James 5:16.
“The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
How much fervent prayer do you give to your business? Sometimes we can mutter a quick “please bless my business” and be on our way. But I think God wants us to bring SPECIFIC needs and requests to Him so that, not only are we blessed when He answers, but also, our faith grows.
When we pray for requests and they come to be, we cannot miss the fact that God was involved.
There have been times before that I became very discouraged about my business and went to God and poured it out to Him. I asked Him for encouragement. Inevitably, later that day or soon after, something would come – an encouraging email, an unexpected sale or someone relating how grateful they are for what I do.
I know I need to pray more fervently for my business too. I have been trying to do that, but I know I need to do more of it.
Will you too? Begin to lift up fervent prayer for your business and watch and see what God does.
Want to learn more about including God in your business? Go to Christian Business Ethics.
I do. Especially around this time of year when we are trying to reach so many for the cause of effective communication for Christian causes. I pray for the technology, for my stamina, for my sponsors, for my hosts, for the site, for all the visitors to be able to take what they learn from the Say What You Mean Convention and use it for God’s Glory.
Laurie, Thanks for sharing this. For quite some time now I have been struggling on HOW to begin my home business. Whether I have anything to offer. I guess it is time to get on my knees and have Him direct me through that. Thank you for the reminder. Sometimes we become blind and deaf to the one thing that we know will help us…Jesus.
Tammie,
I really believe that’s true. So many times, I have run from product to product and seminar and seminar to get ideas and help. And I do believe these things have their place and can be good.
But the best ideas will be born through prayer. I’m excited to see what you will be doing!
I appreciate the lead for prayer to Christ. It is easy to ask and seek the financial reward. However as a steward my first committment is to Christ and to be faithful. To trust Him when the horizon is hidden behind the clouds. To know the desire for True prosperity is our continued relationship with Him. We meet so many lives via the interenet and telecommunications. It is important to me to pray for their salvation and burdens unto Him. I realize I must answer for my interaction with others in this business. So many are struggling, so many are hurt and the least I can do as a Christian is to lift them up daily. May we be found faithful.
Hi Johnny,
I agree, that as Christian business owners, we have to look deeper than the obvious financial profit. God can use us and our businesses in so many ways.
The people we come into contact with are sent from God. We always have to ask Him what He wants us to do for them. Sometimes it may be a prayer, sometimes a word of encouragement. Sometimes it may entail giving them something.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Laurie,
Just wanted to say thank you for the helpful reminder(s). I get so caught up in everything around me sometimes, that I forget to pause regularly and talk to the one that is always there for me…Jesus. I know nothing is too small or big for him and I will grow as my relationship with Jesus grows. So why is it I still get frustrated at times when I know God always works it out for me, in his way, when I talk to him about it. Lots of room for more learning and understanding I guess. And you help with that.
Hi Doug,
Thanks for your comment. I’m so glad this helps.
I think we all do that – forget to bring our needs to God. Somehow, we think we can do it on our own, but isn’t it great to know He wants to be involved in everything and is always there for us?
Laurie,
It’s funny how the day can quickly pass us by without taking our business to God in prayer. Actually, I guess it’s more sad than funny. As Christian entrepreneurs, we have an unlimited resources at our hands simply by making a request to our loving Father who wants to give to us abundantly from His storehouses. How sad it will be indeed when we get to heaven and see the full storehouses that He wanted to empty out for us. We can’t be very smart business people making decisions like that.
Brad
Brad,
You have said it well. We can get going on our own track and don’t always take the time we need to to stop and ask God for His wisdom, guidance and blessing. We lose out.