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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.
As a nation, we are quick to pray for our
government and military leaders. 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 the 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?
The Christian 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 we pray for the president,
the vice president, and the entire cabinet by name, our
prayers often extend to legislators, governors, judges,
even county and city officials. But who is praying for
our economic leaders?
In addition to those who oversee the $2 trillion
U.S. federal budget, we should also seek a Divine blessing
upon all leaders involved in the $10 trillion national economy.
They oversee a vast resource base and affect our well being
as much, if not more than, government leaders. Business can
be a positive force for opportunity, justice, and the common
good in the nation, other social institutions like government,
religion, and education.
And for what should we pray?
First, give thanks to God for these
business leaders and that we have benefited so very much
from the goods, services, and jobs that they help provide.
Pray that they might receive divine inspiration as
they go about their work creating products, services, experiences,
and jobs.
Pray that they might 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 the president. As a start, here's
a list of the CEOs 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)
Joe Pichler (Kroger; 289,000).
Added together, these ten executives 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. They, like government officials, have the power
to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and help create jobs
for the poor.
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 the country. Pray for business leaders
in your city. Pray for your company's top executive. And
pray for your own boss, too.
Blaine McCormick is a management professor
at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University.
David Miller is president of The Avodah Institute and a former
senior executive in international banking.
Copyright © 2003 by the
author or Christianity Today International/Leadership
Journal.
Click
here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
Apirl 22, 2003
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