A Marketplace Christian's Covenant

A Marketplace Christian's Covenant

By Mike McLoughlin,
Youth With A Mission, Marketplace Mission
Visit the Scruples Small Business Forum at www.scruples.net for more information.

Father in heaven, I, ______________ (enter your name), have sinned and done wrong in your sight. I have acted wickedly in the marketplace and served my own interests to the detriment of your interest and the interest of others. I have turned away from your commands and laws. Lord Jesus, you are righteous, but this day I am covered in shame because I have sinned against you.

Lord, I acknowledge my sin in these specific areas: (Make a written list of your sins. Consider the twelve temptations in the marketplace. Perhaps you have not said NO to some of these temptations. Consider the twelve interests of God in management. Perhaps you have not said YES to some of these interests.)

1.______________________________ 2._______________________________

3.______________________________ 4._______________________________

5.______________________________ 6._______________________________

7.______________________________ 8._______________________________

9.______________________________ 10.______________________________

I thank you that you are a merciful and forgiving God even though I have rebelled against you and refused to listen to your Spirit and to keep your way of love in the marketplace. I have suffered the consequences of my sin and fallen under your judgement and the judgement of others. I agree that your judgements against me in marketplace situation are just and that I am deserving of the full consequences of my sin. I make no excuse for my sin. I take full responsibility for it and agree with you that it is wrong.

Now Lord, in keeping with your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from your servant in the marketplace. My sin and the sin of your people in the marketplace have made us an object of scorn to all those around us. So Lord Jesus hear my prayer and listen to my petition and look with favour on the desolation of your servant in the marketplace. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes to see the poverty, the oppression and the bondage of your people who are called by your Name. I do not make requests of you because I am righteous but because of your great mercy. Oh Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your people bear your Name. (A Paraphrase of Daniel 9:4-19)

Lord, I repent of my sin and turn from my wicked ways. Here and now I commit to serve you wholeheartedly in the marketplace and where I have wronged anyone I will make restitution to demonstrate my unconditional commitment to serve you first in the marketplace. (Make a list of the people you have wronged in the marketplace and the amount or activities that you will undertake to do to make restitution.)

1. I have wronged: _____________________________. I will make restitution by:

________________________________________________________________.

2. I have wronged: _____________________________. I will make restitution by:

________________________________________________________________.

3. I have wronged: _____________________________. I will make restitution by:

________________________________________________________________.

4. I have wronged: _____________________________. I will make restitution by:

________________________________________________________________.

5. I have wronged: _____________________________. I will make restitution by:

________________________________________________________________.

6. I have wronged: _____________________________. I will make restitution by:

________________________________________________________________.

7. I have wronged: _____________________________. I will make restitution by:

________________________________________________________________.

Lord, I unconditionally commit to observe the following principles in the marketplace. (Put your initials beside each principle.)

In my life:

1. I will love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength; __________

2. I will love my neighbour as I love myself; __________

3. I will love what I do and I will do it with all of my heart. __________

In my business:

4. I will serve God first in the marketplace NOT money; __________

5. I will serve the interests of others in business as I would serve my own interests.

In the planning of my business:

6. I will guard my heart and grasp not; __________

7. I will plan by principle not by practice; __________

8. I will pray then plan, plan then pray. __________

In marketing:

9. I will be honest to God and honest to others; __________

10. I will be true to my word and worthy of trust; __________

11. I will observe that whatever is right is just and whatever is just is fair; _______

12. I will be as shrewd as a snake, but as innocent as a dove. __________

In management:

13. I will put my faith to work in the interest of God; __________

14. I will risk it all for righteousness; __________

15. I will be faithful in a little so that I may be faithful in a lot. __________

In financial management:

16. I will count the cost of discipleship: __________

17. I will budget for that which counts; __________

18. I will consider an eternal return worth a temporal risk. __________

In staffing:

19. I will be ready to serve my employees; __________

20. I will do what is fair; __________

21. I will work for those who work for me.__________

This day, I, __________________ (enter your name), turn back to the Lord my God with all my heart and renew my covenant to serve you, Lord Jesus, faithfully in the marketplace as you enable me to do it by your Spirit.

Signed by: ____________________________________________ (Your Name)

on _______ day of _____________________. In the year __________________.

Witnessed by:

________________________________________________ (Name of Witness)

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