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Blaine McCormick & David Miller
LeadershipJournal.net (Christianity Today)
April 2003
In keeping with tradition, George W. Bush will soon issue
a Presidential proclamation declaring the first Thursday
in May 2003 as the National Day of Prayer. This tradition
dates back to George Washington and was formalized in modern
times by President Reagan. Government leaders and national
issues are usually the object of these prayers. This year
is unlikely to be any different, particularly in light of
the war in Iraq. We wonder, however, aren’t we missing
something? The business pages remind us that the economy
is still sluggish and that America’s spate of corporate
scandals did not end with collapse of Enron. Shouldn’t
we give the same prayerful support to our nation’s
business leaders as they face challenges of moral and economic
significance, as perhaps never before?
As a nation, we are quick to pray for our government and
military leaders. The Christians tradition of praying for
leaders is rooted in the teachings of the apostle Paul who
wrote to the first century Christian church, “I urge,
then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions
and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and
all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet
lives…” (I Timothy 2:1-2). One is struck by the
specificity in how many Christians pray for “kings
and all those in authority.” Not only do they pray
for the President, the Vice-President, and the entire Presidential
cabinet by name, their prayers often extend to U.S. and state
legislators, governors, judges, county, and even city officials.
As Americans continue to pray for “kings and all those
in authority,” we invite you to pray not only for our
political leaders but our economic leaders as well. In addition
to praying for the leaders who oversee the $2 trillion federal
budget, we should also seek a Divine blessing upon all leaders
involved in the $10 trillion national economy. These business
leaders and managers oversee a vast resource base and affect
our well being as much – if not more than – the
government leaders whom we regularly remember in our prayers.
Business can be a positive force for opportunity, justice,
and the common good in America alongside other social institutions
like government, religion, and education. A significant first
step is to stop ignoring and start including business leaders
in our prayers.
And for what should we pray? First, consider giving thanks
to God that these business leaders are in our country and
that we have benefited so very much from the goods, services,
and jobs that they help provide. Also, pray that they might
receive Divine inspiration as they go about their work creating
products, services, experiences, and jobs. Pray that they
might have discernment to choose the right path among the
many possibilities competing for their attention and resources.
Pray that they might administer justice in their companies
just as surely as the courts administer justice in the society.
Pray that they might be peacemakers as they seek to forge
mutually beneficial relationships with foreign peoples and
countries and as they seek to honor diversity and create
healthy company cultures. And pray that they might be delivered
from evil, especially when the temptation comes to hide,
distort, or deviate from truth and honorable business actions.
And pray for them by name, just like you would pray by name
for your President, his Cabinet, or your senators. As a start,
here’s a list of the CEO’s of the ten largest
employers in America according to the 2003 Fortune 500: Lee
Scott (Wal-Mart; 1,300,000 employees), Jim Cantalupo (McDonalds;
413,000), Mike Eskew (United Parcel Service; 360,000), Bill
Ford (Ford; 350,321), Rick Wagoner (General Motors; 350,000),
Sam Palmisano (IBM; 315, 889), Jeff Immelt (General Electric;
315,000), Bob Ulrich (Target; 306,000), Bob Nardelli (Home
Depot; 300,000) and Joe Pichler (Kroger; 289,000).
Added together, these top ten employers oversee a population
of employees roughly equal to the population of South Carolina
or the country of Scotland. Wal-Mart alone has a payroll
as large as the combined populations of Delaware and Wyoming.
In addition to these large corporations, remember to pray
for the thousands of smaller entrepreneurs and family businesses
that provide the bulk of the goods and services produced
in America. Indeed, our work and our work leaders impact
us at least forty hours per week. Like government officials,
they have the power to feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
and help create jobs for the poor.
So, for sure continue to pray for our government officials – they
need it. Yet consider adding business leaders to your prayer
list this year. They need it, too. If you can’t remember
the nation’s top ten employers by name, maybe start
closer to home. Consider praying for business leaders in
your city. Pray for your company’s top executive. And
pray for your own boss, too. Amen.
Dr. McCormick (Blaine_McCormick@baylor.edu) is a management
professor at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University.
Rev. Dr. Miller (DavidMiller@AvodahInstitute.com) is President
of The Avodah Institute (www.AvodahInstitute.com) and a former
senior executive in international banking.
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