Before the Meetings: A Morning Prayer

Begin by noticing who Jesus is, especially in the ordinary. He is present in boardrooms and video calls, in the rushed moments between meetings and the quiet ones too. You might start by simply acknowledging His character: "Jesus, You are steady. You are unhurried. You see me, and You see what matters in this day." As it says in Colossians 1:17, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (ESV). Let that settle for a moment. Your meetings, your words, the decisions being made — all of it holds together in His hands, not because you perform perfectly, but because He sustains all things. You might whisper: "Thank You for being present in the details of this day. Thank You that I'm not managing these meetings alone."

Now bring the weight you're carrying. Maybe there's anxiety about how you'll show up. Maybe there's a conversation you're dreading, or you're worried about saying the wrong thing. Maybe you're aware that pride or impatience tends to surface when you're under pressure. Jesus invites you to be honest about this. "Jesus, I confess that I often walk into these meetings as though everything depends on me. I confess the stress I carry, the sharp words I sometimes think, the way I forget You're here." In 1 Peter 5:7, we're told to cast "all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (ESV). That care is real and active. He isn't distant from your nerves or your tendency to overfunction. Name what needs naming, and then receive the grace that's already waiting for you.

Pause and remember what has been good. Maybe it's the team you work with, or a conversation that went well recently. Maybe it's simply that you've made it through difficult meetings before and you're still standing. You might say: "Jesus, thank You for giving me work to do. Thank You for the people I'll see today, even the difficult ones. Thank You that You've already equipped me for what's ahead." As Philippians 4:4 reminds us, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice" (ESV). There is something to be grateful for even in the tension of the day. The ability to think clearly, to listen, to make a difference — these are gifts. Take a moment to name one or two specifically.

Now bring your actual needs. Not in a rushed way, but clearly. "Jesus, help me to listen today — really listen — instead of just waiting for my turn to speak. Help me to be present with the people in these meetings, not lost in my own head. If there's a hard conversation, give me words that are both honest and kind. Help me to remember that these are people You love as much as You love me." You might bring a specific meeting by name, or a particular person you'll encounter. Jesus knows what you're about to face, and He's inviting you to bring it to Him. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (NIV). He wants to hear what you need. Speak it out. And then sit for a moment in the quiet, trusting that He has heard you.