Our need for God’s guidance doesn’t
stop when we arrive at work



Little did we know that a lunchtime parking-lot gathering with seven co-workers for the National Day of Prayer would result one year later in more than 60 workers joining in prayer in the office cafeteria.
We created so much attention that business leaders instructed us to stop.
We did. Now we’re back.
My business colleague and fellow church member, Dan Prostrollo, and I had talked for months about how many Christian believers could be found in our workplace of more than 3,000. But a collective expression of faith was completely absent.
Responding to a call from our pastor’s Sunday sermon to express our faith irrespective of location, Dan and I commenced a word-of-mouth announcement to gather on National Day of Prayer under the tree by the front parking lot. Seven co-workers attended.
Our brief gathering commenced with a welcome, a 10-minute message, five minutes to lift prayer concerns and five minutes of prayer. It was a rich experience. 
Bosses were prayed for. Children were lifted in prayer. Elder and ill parents were mentioned. Fellow employees were named.
Tears flowed. Renewal resulted. Refreshed minds, hearts and spirits returned to the workplace. 
As a human resources professional, I have to believe enhanced productivity occurred, too.
The group desired to meet weekly. Word spread. Numbers grew.
In the August heat, we moved to the cafeteria indoors. Numbers increased further. We moved to the courtyard. Numbers increased to more than 60, as did the need to amplify the leader’s voice.
A passing employee complained to management that he ought not be subjected to religious talk at work. Management answered, “What religious talk?”
We were busted.
Management explained that formal employee gatherings were allowed only with business sanction, and the business didn’t sanction formal religious expression. We explained, to management’s surprise, that we had already been meeting for a year and that no harm had resulted.
We were told again the business didn’t sanction formal religious expressions of faith.
We asked how our global corporation accommodates Muslim five-times-a-day prayer in the Middle East. Managers said they would get back to us; in the meantime, stop meeting.
We stopped meeting.
Six weeks later we have a newly created, cleanly decorated, softly lit, “Reflection Room.” Moderate rules have been established limiting numbers to 20 at any one time, but we have a place to pray at work.
Our religious expression, it seems, is now sanctioned.
The Holy Spirit continues to guide us. With limited space we have been challenged to create a new model. The momentum previously built has waned a bit, but we are still at it.
Our faith expression and consistent need for the Holy Spirit’s guidance doesn’t stop during work hours. We created something in our workplace. Perhaps you are destined to do the same in yours.