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Friday/Saturday—September 29–30•Ask, Seek, Knock Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7–8) When you have an idea, or you’re facing a difficult task, do you rely on your own experience and determination? In some sense, when it comes to business, I know what to do. But I’ve learned to pray about everything, especially when I think I already know the answer. If I refuse to pray, I dishonor the One who invites me to ask. Norm Miller, principal owner of Interstate Batteries, told me his business was seeking to establish its brand. He and his staff decided to host a convention in Hawaii. He explained, “We wrote down all we thought was important, everything we wanted God to do, and we began meeting every morning at nine. We prayed through that list for 18 months.” The people who attended the convention said the feeling was different from other similar events. One woman said, “I go to 15 conventions a year, and I’ve never been to anything like this.” Someone came up with the term “Interstate Family,” and it stuck. I believe that was a direct result of Norm Miller and his staff investing time and energy in prayer. I challenge you to make a “Norm List.” Name the areas where you want to see success. Then make a daily appointment with God to pray over your list. Commit to continue praying, even as your list evolves in keeping with your changing responsibilities. As you develop this discipline of prayer, expect it to be a conversation in which God will answer you. Your relationship with God will grow more and more precious, and you’ll find that prayer actually is the most powerful and efficient investment of time.  MIMBS 11 Make a “Norm List” of areas in your work that you need to pray for. If appropriate, invite one or two co-workers to join you daily or weekly to pray about these things. Daily Reading: Isaiah 57:15–62:5, Philippians 1:1–2:18, Psalm 71:1–72:20, Proverbs 24:9–12 FOR YOUR SMALL GROUP September 25–30 ■ Describe what prayer means to you. ■ Have you prayed and received answers to prayer? ■ What areas of your life (home, work, health, relationships) do you need to pray about and release to God to work out as He will? 57


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