God of relationships, I fear we may lose a big customer on whom we rely for revenue.   I have always been afraid that too much of our performance was based upon this one entity; but we have not been successful diversifying.   A couple of things worry me.   One is that we had a glitch in the supply chain which made deliveries uneven.  Secondly, our competition is bigger than us and can afford to “buy” the account by making it a loss-leader.   Help us figure out what to do.   Who can I draw upon to keep the relationship productive? What insights can we draw upon to deliver more efficiently and compete with our bigger sisters and brothers?   Where should I get involved?  Should I speak president to president or has the purchasing department done their best to block these relationships?   Help me find the right path.

Help me set up a small group to plan ahead if we should lose the account without people thinking we are throwing in the towel.   Guide us to formulate a plan that can be initiated immediately if the unthinkable happens.   We have had our mix of clients get shuffled before.  Support us in the confidence that we can handle it again.   Let the truth reign.  May we factually relate what is happening and is likely to happen so that our colleagues can put their energy into finding other customers to please and not be paralyzed by fear and negativity.

Lord, we are not the first to face misfortune.   Romans 8 says that for those who love God everything works out for the good.   Job had it pretty bad, but he remained hopeful in Job 5:8. May I make these sentiments mine:

 

Section 2, Scripture: Job 5:8-18; Romans 8:18-27

Hebrew Scripture

New Testament

8. I would appeal to God, and to God I would state my plea. 9. He does things great and unsearchable, things marvelous and innumerable. 10. He gives rain upon the earth and sends water upon the fields; 11.  He sets up the lowly on high, and those who mourn are raised to safety. 12. He frustrates the plans of the cunning, so that their hands achieve no success; 13. He catches the wise in their own ruses, and the designs of the crafty are routed. 14. They meet with darkness in the daytime, at noonday they grope as though it were night. 15. But he saves the poor from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty. 16. Thus the needy have hope, and iniquity closes its mouth. 17. Happy the one whom God reproves! The Almighty’s* discipline do not reject. 18. For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands give healing. 19. Out of six troubles he will deliver you, and at the seventh, no evil shall touch you. 20. In famine he will deliver you from death, and in war from the power of the sword; 21. From the scourge of the tongue you shall be hidden, and you shall not fear approaching ruin. 22. At ruin and want you shall laugh; the beasts of the earth, do not fear. Job 5:8-22 23. With the stones of the field shall your covenant be, and the wild beasts shall be at peace with you. 24. And you shall know that your tent is secure; taking stock of your household, you shall miss nothing. 25. You shall know that your descendants are many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth. Job 5:8-25

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. 19 For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God;20for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; 23 and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. 26 In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. 27 And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.  Romans 8:18-27

God, whatever happens, may we be secure in Your love.   Give us the confidence to act decisively and appropriately and to respond to the signs of the times.   We know that You are God for us, God with us and God in us.   May that assurance give us hope.

Section 3
You may wish to be silent for a few minutes. Listen and discern.

Section 4
In your own words, in your own silence, speak with God.