All We Can Do Now Is Pray

“All We Can Do Now is Pray” Click here for Mp3 Version

You've heard people say it. They see that there is nothing more they can do to improve their business. They’ve cut all they can cut; they’ve laid off all whom they can lay off; they’ve spent all they can afford on marketing, advertising and sales – and still nothing seems to be getting better. “All we can do now, is pray.”

Well, there’s a novel business idea. Why not actually give prayer a chance? Wait, don’t hit the delete button yet, give me a chance to explain. There’s ample evidence to support that praying in the marketplace works. Anecdotally, I would say it is at least as effective as whatever the “business theory de jour” is. So let me give you a few thoughts to chew on.

First, if you are not a Christian, that’s okay. Chances are very good that you have some solid employees who would be thrilled to be asked. Lacking that, there are churches, ministries and other enterprises readily available that will help with this (including About Purpose, by the way). If you are an agnostic – one who is doubtful or non-committal about God – well, this is a good chance for you to run an experiment. If you are an atheist, well, you’ve probably turned me off already, but my experiences with all of this are no less true.

Second, if you’re concerned about legalities, don’t be. There is absolutely nothing in any law in the U.S. that prevents you or your employees or agents from praying for your business. If you’re really hung up on this point, call me and we can set an appointment to ease your mind.

Now, let’s get on to what praying for your business could look like.

Prayer is, at its simplest, conversation with God. You talk, you listen. Imagine a foremost business authority giving you his undivided attention while you ask questions about strategic planning, marketing, hiring, financing, R&D, and product/service quality issues. Well, you can do that with the inventor of the universe. I can personally attest to multiple, in-depth, on-topic answers and ideas I’ve received in this manner. Do you lack direction, clear mission, or insight into your current problems? Try prayer.

Now consider what it would be like if employee morale soared, vendor quality improved, and customer relationships actually contributed to your company bottom line. Praying has been proven effective at all of these. When we pray, we actually affect the spiritual climate – something that people can’t measure very well, but something by which we are all influenced. You don’t have to believe me, there is a proliferation of books documenting the power of prayer in the marketplace.

One more thought – imagine you could cancel all judgments against you and your company, and all ill-conceived debts could be forgiven. This is where prayer beats out every other known business strategy. Recognizing injustices, errors, and evil-doing in your past and that of your company, followed by genuine repentance – that is, asking for forgiveness and committing to change your ways – will cancel actual curses that could be operating against you. Don’t believe in curses? Just look at any social media campaign run against any current corporation – they’re real and they’re effective!

I know this is a very unconventional article, but I also know that most of you reading it have said those opening words at one time or another, “All we can do now, is pray.” The challenge is this: are you professional enough, committed enough to your company mission, to try prayer as a proactive measure instead of waiting until it’s all that’s left to try?

If you are thinking there might be something to this, or if you already know there is but are uncertain how to get going, call or e-mail me. About Purpose has numerous clients who live in this new paradigm every day and we can help you, too.

About Purpose is about your purpose.

Aim: Identify and articulate your purpose.

Arm: Shape yourself around your purpose.

Act: Achieve your purpose.