I was asked recently to submit a prayer for businesses that would be a part of a National Day of Prayer series for Neuse News. I immediately thought of all the small businesses that are struggling and many that are closed right now. I am intimately acquainted with the struggles of small businesses and small business owners. My grandfather opened and ran a small family business.

Later, my dad ran this same small family business. Throughout my childhood, my father was up early to work and home late from work, trying to keep the family business going. I saw the stress in his face, the same stress that drove him to chain smoke cigarettes all day long for many years. I remember the tension that troubles with the business placed upon my family. My heart and my prayers go out to those businesses that are struggling right now.

With this in mind, I offer this prayer. I invite you to pray with me, as you read it.

Lord, thank you for the small businesses in our communities, for the hard work, the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into them. For many, their businesses are not just stores or companies, they are the fabric of their lives and the lives of their loved ones. We pray God that You will guide these small business owners and provide for their families during this difficult and uncertain time.

We pray that every small business owner along with their family, will not be overcome by fear and worry, but that each and every one will trust in You and find wisdom and guidance in You. We pray that as they do this, that they will make wise decisions, the decisions that are best for their families, and that they will make these decisions at precisely the right moments.

In the Bible, Solomon wrote, “Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3, (NLT).” We pray that small business owners will follow this Scripture, and that they will commit everything to You, and that You will bless them with success. We pray that the public will see that the small businesses that operate with honesty and integrity, and that seek to treat people, be it staff, vendors, or customers, with kindness, compassion, and respect, are something that we desperately need in our communities. We pray that people will see the great need and the special benefits of supporting local mom and pop businesses, and will buy locally.

God, be with our small business owners and their families. Bless them and keep them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.