Starting a Prayer Group at Work
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Colossians 3:23
Our workplaces are in need of prayer. We all are not called into the ministry, but we are each called to minister to those around us. You spend 40 or more hours with your colleagues, managers, and leadership. Each with a different story, a different situation and a different struggle. You can minister to each one through prayer whether they know or not.
Prayer can change the environment, the people, and the bottom line for Christ.
No Fear.
Don’t let fear hold you back. We all experience thoughts of what could happen, but those are all from the devil. Don’t focus on the fear, focus on the reward.
-
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” - Hebrews 13:6
-
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
-
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31
-
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentiles. - Romans 1: 16
How to Start? Pray.
Pray. During a break, go and pray for your organization:
-
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2
-
Leadership: Whether you like or agree with their decisions doesn’t matter, the leaders of your company have a big responsibility. They are responsible for the jobs of all the employees, including yours. Their day to day decisions impact the success or failure of the company. Lift them up in prayer, for things like:
-
God’s wisdom
-
Protection from poor advisors
-
Blessings
-
Relationship with Christ
-
-
Coworkers: Everyone is dealing with things in their personal lives. Some people are open books, but others are quietly living in pain. Pray for known and unknown personal needs, physical challenges, blessings and above all else, their salvation.
-
Yourself: You are a light in your workplace, but sometimes the daily grind can be exhausting. Focus can be challenging. Pray that you do excellent work, find favor, shine bright and represent Christ in an honorable way.
-
Pray for other Christians to join you.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2
How to Grow? Ask.
As you find coworkers who are Christians, ask them if they would join you in praying to Jesus for the organization. See if they would want to meet regularly. Even if someone isn’t a Christian, you never know if this could be a seed or the act that brings them to Christ. However, it’s important to make sure it’s known that the group prays to Jesus Christ.
How to Maintain?
Structure and Consistency.
Having a group chat where you can encourage each other, share prayer requests and connect can help maintain your group so it doesn’t die off. Depending on your work situation, you can either hold the prayer time over video conference call or in-person.
Stay consistent. On a regular basis, monthly, weekly or as frequently as you like, come together to prayer. Have a regular amount of time so everyone can plan accordingly and you don’t take work time to hold the prayer meeting.
Before each prayer meeting, remember to encourage the group to invite others to join. A suggested way to lead the prayer time is to have someone open in prayer and someone close, leaving the middle for others to pray out loud or silently.
God will answer your prayers, and God will be present at your work place.
Where 2 or more are gathered in my name, there am I with them. - Matthew 18:20
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. - Proverbs 11:25
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10