Have you ever prayed in the middle of a 1:1 with your boss? In the middle of a sales call or board meeting? Should you? What did Jesus do? I share some lessons I’ve learned about navigating the minefield that praying for business success can be.

Road Construction season (other people call it Summer) has arrived here in Chicago. That means company picnics and outings. Check out the two articles I found about the legality of office “fun.”

Journey On,
~Mark

Mark King
​​Mark@BruisedCamels.com | LinkedIn​​
​

Career Stewardship

Praying for Success

I have no patience for the Prosperity Gospel. It angers me, and I want to start burning heretics. Well, not quite…but it does get my dander up. God is not a cosmic vending machine.

But there’s a problem. I’m instructed to “pray without ceasing,” including when trying to close a deal. My “daily bread” comes from beating out competitors to earn a living. This paradox stresses me out.

I was recently talking about a work challenge with a friend (well okay…my therapist.) She asked if I had asked God specifically for the thing I was hoping for. “I didn’t think I was allowed to” was my sheepish, but honest answer. This led to a real mother lode of discussion about my erroneous theology and my deep resistance to asking for help. I love the 1-2 punch of working with a Christian counselor.

Looking back on my experience as a father helped me begin to unravel this paradox. I can recall with laughter (now), how my own sons’ petitions evolved as they grew. As infants, they started with cries and screams for basic needs. Grew into the squeaky wheel toddler phase.

Then, as teenagers, they deployed a barrage of psychological and timing techniques. (“What did Mom say?” should have been tattooed on my hand.) Now twenty-plus years later, they approach me with the sophistication of private equity partners to negotiate things like motorcycles (“NO!”) and studying abroad (“Yes”).

If I bother to pray about work, I’m often like a toddler. Not totally selfish or greedy, but definitely self-centered, short-term, and stubborn. I need results…now.

Over the years, I’ve consistently thought back to something David Bussau, a colleague, said:

“Prayer is about relationship not results.”

The Bible is clear. We should ask. We should be specific. Jesus modeled this. When things got real in Gethsemane, he asked for what he wanted. I love The Message translation of his prayer: “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this.” But we all know what follows, “But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?”

Jesus prayed directly, honestly, and relationally.

As my boys have grown up, I’ve realized how wonderful it is to have a conversation about their needs vs. responding to requests. I love hearing, “Hey Dad, can we talk about _____?” instead of “Dad, can I _____?” It opens the door to exploring the “why” of the request and the answer. I think God enjoys the same type of conversation.

Of course, they still bluntly ask for stuff. They must. Two of them are still dependents on my tax return after all. And yes, occasionally, I feel taken for granted. But that doesn’t change our relationship or my love for them.

God cuts me the same slack when I pray about work like I need my diaper changed. Maturity comes in fits and spurts. But I relish the good days when I’m able to chat with my friend Jesus about what’s going on at the office.

Corporate Life

Fight for the right to NOT party

In April, I shared some musings on the challenge that company social events can present for Jesus Followers. It’s here if you missed it. As a follow-up, I wanted to share two articles. The first is about a French judge protecting workers from mandated fun. The second is a cautionary tale about well-intended, seemingly benign fun.

“A man won the legal right to not be ‘fun’ at work after refusing to embrace ‘excessive alcoholism’ and ‘promiscuity’” – Business Insider, 11/26/22

“Man told employer not to celebrate his birthday. He was awarded $450,000 after unwanted party.” – NBC News, 4/17/22