I know many Christians who have been taught that asking God for anything is selfish, but I can’t find that in the Bible.

God does say not to worry, that he knows what we need, that we should seek His kingdom and will first, and trust that he’ll provide for us.

It does not say that it’s wrong to come to him about those needs.  In fact, 1 Peter 5:7 says: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Our Father cares about us.  Yes, he knows our needs already – but he always welcomes our prayers about those needs.

(It’s important to realize that Worry isn’t Prayer and Prayer isn’t Worry!)

It’s in prayer that we often hear from God about how he plans to provide for those needs.

It’s often in the midst of prayer that we’ll get clarity about our situation and be able to see God’s clear direction for our business.

So don’t be shy.  Take your needs list to God in prayer today and ask him to open your eyes to his plans for your business today.

If you want to build your faith and be sure to give God all the glory down the road, start a business prayer journal and jot down the needs and situations you share with God in prayer.

Look back over your lists every now and then and highlight the answered needs and solved situations.

I’m sure you’ll be blown away at what you see!

A Biblical Model for Praying for Growth

A sweet believer has been running a struggling business for a long time. She never makes more than a pittance from her time and often struggles to pay her bills.

Asked if she prayed for her business, she shook her head, smiled, and said, ‘No, God has given me love, grace, forgiveness and daily bread – I won’t ask for anything more than that.’

I don’t tell you about her to criticize her attitude, not at all.  She’s one of the nicest women I know and she’s truly content with her life. That’s awesome!

We all have different goals and dreams.  Some of you want to build a business to provide a part-time income that gives you the ability to say home with your kids and have no interest in growing beyond that point.

Some of you though… you have big dreams for your biz!

If you have been a believer for at least ten years, you’ve probably heard of a little book by Bruce Wilkinson titled the Prayer of Jabez.

If you haven’t heard of it or if you never got a copy of your own to enjoy, I highly recommend it.

I did have a copy back in 2000 when it first came out and I personally gave several copies away to others.  Looking back, God definitely answered my ‘Prayer of Jabez’ in a big way.  My life is completely different ten years later!

The book is based on this verse in the Bible:

1 Chronicle 4:10 (NIV) reads:

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”

If you Google the Prayer of Jabez you’ll find quite a few opinions both good and bad – but you can’t argue with the Bible on this.  Jabez prayed for an increase, and God gave it to him!

Don’t let anything stop you from crying out to God about your business and all of its related needs.

God equips you to run your business, if you’re doing what He has called you to do he will certainly be faithful to provide you with the tools and resources you need to make it profitable.