A Prayer for Businesses and the Economy

RALEIGH – The collateral damage of the current epidemic, and the reactions it has spurred, is the tremendous immediate blow to the livelihoods of North Carolinians. As shutdown policies force small-business owners and workers to a screeching halt, the toll on the spirit being at least as much as on the pocketbook, Reverend Mark Creech of the Christian Action League offers a prayer for businesses and the economy.

“Father God, in this pause precipitated by a world-wide pandemic, we are called to hear your voice now above the clamor and clangor of commerce and trade. It is your voice that commands, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ It is your voice that reminds us that economic ground is also supposed to be holy ground. We repent of where we have been selfish materialists only, where we thought only of ourselves and not the people whom we employed, and often the consumer we claimed to serve.

We acknowledge the ‘earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,’ and you have made us stewards of it. Enable us to perform our work and transact our business, as ‘unto the Lord,’ as a service to our fellowman, that the blessings of sustenance, suitability, and succor be available to all. That from these benefits, humankind may derive a sense of dependence and brotherhood, community interests and concern, thus exemplifying the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is not only the Master Builder of the faith, but also the framework of economic right and social blessedness.

It is you, O Lord, who put within our bosoms a desire for aspiration and achievement, which is gravely diminished by the current crisis. Save us from this sickness. Save our businesses. Save our workers. Save our economy. In the future, we commit to showing thankfulness. We commit to making the purpose of our lives to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness that we may be assured that all things whatsoever we should need shall be added unto us. In the name of Christ, we pray.

Amen.”