Here are the first 3 reasons he discusses:
Reason #1: We don't pray for business because we don't pray for business.
2. We don't pray for business because those who lead us in prayer have not been trained to do so.
Reason #3: We don't pray for business because our worship leaders have been trained in settings that are indifferent or negative to business.
2. We don't pray for business because those who lead us in prayer have not been trained to do so.
Reason #3: We don't pray for business because our worship leaders have been trained in settings that are indifferent or negative to business.
PresbyBlogger and chair-elect of the General Assembly Mission Council of the PCUSA Michael Kruse responded to the first post with the following comment:
...Their (pastors') mindset is the zero-sum game of the biblical world. They believe capitalism and the market economy is based on greed, selfishness, and hoarding. They are ambivalent toward business people because they see the market place as unseemly. Thus, when business is mentioned in corporate prayers it is almost exclusively in the sense of restraint, circumscribing bad behavior, and repentance. We are all called to repent from greed and be generous. The enormous additive contribution of business is not in view.For the full text of Mike's comments go here.
It is ironic to me that pastors who can so readily appreciate how recent experience has reshaped our ethical understanding to embrace inclusion of women in leadership or biological evolution, continue to hold to pre-Nineteenth Century views on business and economics."
It seems to me Mike is spot on in his observations and that Mark's series brings a much-needed focus to a neglected issue. I look forward the rest of Mark's series on the subject.
Why don't we pray for business in our churches? What do you think?
Why don't we pray for business in our churches? What do you think?
