CXP CEO Executive Retreat Guide - The Power of a Praying Organization

Executive Retreat Guide For CEOs
Learn Faster. Lead Further.
The Power of a Praying Organization

RETREAT ROADMAP
Kingdom Impact: A God Who Listens 3
Executive Guide: The Power of a Praying Organization 7
The Prayers that Every Good Christian
CEO Should Pray 10
How to Start a Prayer Impact Team 15
Endnotes 18
Additional Resources 19
Next Level Leader: The Power of Questions 20
Bonus: Three Questions Praying Leaders
Ask Every Morning 24
CEO Tools 27
<<< CEO Experience © All Rights Reserved 2019 >>>

KingdomImpact
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P
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything
according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever
we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
1 John 5:14-15
Prayer can be difficult for leaders and CEOs. Very few places or organizations teach people how to
pray and ask God to enter into a conversation with them about the issues, worries, doubts, and
successes affecting their lives. However, prayer can be an essential tool at the disposal of every faith-
driven leader.
From the passage from 1 John 5 quoted above, the steward CEO can gain insight into the importance
of a prayer life that will lead to a praying organization. The apostle John writes to believers and
leaders and gives three encouragements pertaining to prayer.
1. YOU CAN APPROACH GOD WITH YOUR CONCERNS AND NEEDS
John states in verse 14 that “this is the confidence we have in approaching God.” Prayer is a venue
where you can approach God to get His insights, wisdom, and discernment about the issues
that you face in daily life and with your business transactions. God wants His leaders to stay
close to Him. He is an approachable God who wants to interact with His team and help them to do
His will “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
Kingdom Impact: A GodWho Listens
4
Experience Question:
How comfortable do you feel about praying? Why do you think faith-driven leaders and
CEOs find it hard to pray?

2. YOU CAN TRUST THAT GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS
John continues writing in verse 14 that “if we ask anything
according to his will, he hears us.” God not only knows the
concerns of every Christian, He longs to listen to those
concerns. He always has time for those He calls His children.
He never gets tired of those whom He loves, even if they
repeat the same complaints and issues over and over again.
He hears those who pray and cry out for His wisdom on
how to handle the situations and issues confronting them
in their lives and leadership.
3. YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU
WHAT YOU NEED
John finishes verse 15 with a statement of assurance: that
“whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of
him.” John points to the ROI, or return on investment, in the
life of the praying CEO. When leaders humble themselves
enough to ask God for direction and wisdom, they can
be confident God hears their request. Additionally, God
will respond to the believer in a way that will be in the best
interests of the person and organization. God gives His
followers precisely what they need, in the time they need it
to do it, and in everything that He has asked them to do.
When
leaders
pray and
ask God
for help,
they can
be confident
God hears
them and
will do what
is right and
beneficial.
“
”
5
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How does it make you feel to know that God hears you
every time you pray? What do you need God to hear right
now in your life or your leadership?

Although many leaders don’t have much time to pray,
prayer should be a high priority for any steward leader who
wishes to honor God with their life and business. Prayer is
effective and Jesus encourages it for every believer, including
CEOs. John wants every person to experience the beautiful
peace that comes from serving a God who not only hears
the requests of those who cry out to Him, but who answers
appropriately.
“
”
6
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To be a
Christian
without
prayer is
no more
possible
than to
be alive
without
breathing.
MARTIN LUTHER
Win Activity
APPROACHING CONFIDENTLY. What prayers or asks
do you need to bring before God? What would you
specifically like for God to hear about what is going on
in your life or business? List those requests, asks, or
praises below.
#1
#2
#3
#4

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CXPCEOExecutiveGuide

EEverything great in life starts with a dream. The world is better when people
dream big and believe that impossible things can happen. Challenge
yourself to ask “what if” questions and use your imagination to see the
world in new and different ways.
In Luke 18:27, Jesus makes a powerful proclamation in which He reminds
His disciples of the power of belief. The disciples are intrigued about
a situation they see as impossible—a rich person entering God’s
Kingdom, given the standard their Master had just outlined. But
Jesus gives a powerful affirmation when He tells them: “What is
impossible with man is possible with God.” That is an excellent
principle on which to build a life and a business. Jesus speaks to
the power of belief because the faith-driven entrepreneur believes
that with God, all things are possible.
Every day, entrepreneurs and faith-driven leaders face
impossible situations. Leaders deal with a variety of
situations that often seem impossible to solve from
the lens of human thinking. This impossibility principle
challenges leaders to think broader, act bolder, and
believe bigger than if they only consider what they are
capable of accomplishing.1
Jesus’s ministry was an example of believing in the
impossible. The Redeemer who had been prophesied
about for many generations had come to the earth.
While the Jews accepted that the Savior would
come, they were not sure of the timing. Jesus spent
His time on earth trying to convince people that
He was the Messiah, the “Chosen One.”
BIBLICAL
BUSINESS
PRINCIPLE:
BELIEVE AND
ASK FOR THE
IMPOSSIBLE
“JESUS REPLIED,
‘WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE
WITH MAN IS POSSIBLE
WITH GOD.’”
Luke 18:27
Dream big impossible dreams.
Set big spiritual goals.
Stretch yourself and your team.
Find new ways to look at old
problems. Embrace belief. Pray big
prayers and expect bigger answers.
8

What
seems
impossible
with man,
is possible
with God.
“
”
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Since Jesus knew what was possible, He taught and led His
disciples to believe in the impossible. It was impossible to
think that a person from Nazareth could be the Messiah. It
was impossible to believe that Peter, a humble fisherman,
would preach on the day of Pentecost and see 3,000
souls saved. It was impossible to believe that Paul, the
leading persecutor of the early church, would become the
most prolific writer of the Bible, authoring nearly half the
books in the New Testament. It was impossible to believe
that Jesus could take 12 men and change the world. Even
those things that once seemed impossible then, today are
believable because they happened.
Likewise, in today’s business world, it is impossible to
believe that following God’s principles will actually be
profitable. It is impossible to believe that God has
equipped, trained and commissioned men and women with
leadership gifts to make a difference in the marketplace.
It is impossible to believe that thousands of CEOs gather
each month to discuss how to apply biblical principles to
their business to one day hear God say, “Well done.”
It is impossible to believe that a company can be used for
Kingdom impact to save thousands of lives for eternity,
but all those things that seem impossible are possible
with God.
Businessman Jeremiah Lanphier was a man who had a
belief in the impossible. In 1857, in downtown Manhattan,
Lanphier rented space each week to pray with fellow
business leaders during their lunch hour. His prayer meeting
started with only six people, yet six weeks after his first
prayer meeting the stock market crashed. Thousands of
people were thrown out of work. Lanphier’s small prayer
gatherings went from a weekly local meeting to a daily
prayer time that impacted thousands of people across
much of the nation.2
God is not against small beginnings.
Faith (or prayer) the size of a tiny mustard seed has the
power to move mountains.
9<<< CEO Experience © All Rights Reserved 2019 >>>

O
10
Very early
in the
morning,
while it was
still dark,
Jesus got up,
left the
house and
went off
to a solitary
place,
where he
prayed.
MARK 1:35
“
”
The Prayers that Every Good Christian CEO
Should Pray
Of all the tasks that steward CEOs engage in daily, one of
the most essential is prayer. Pray includes talking with God,
the Owner of the business. He is the One who can give belief,
encouragement, wisdom, and direction during all seasons of the
company.
Jesus made it a habit of going away by himself to pray.3
Mark
1:35 records one example of this practice: “Very early in the
morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house
and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Jesus
thought it important enough to start His day in solitude to
pray and connect with His heavenly Father. That is why it
should be relevant to every CEO.
Knowing what to pray is an important start to effective prayer.
The faith-driven CEO will focus on prayers that align with the
business’ purpose and mission. There are a few critical prayers
that CEO who wish to honor God with their business will
diligently pray about, frequently and with intensity.
A PRAYER OF EFFECTIVENESS
Pope St. Pius X composed the “Prayer of Saint Joseph.” The
earthly father of Jesus, Joseph, who taught Jesus the carpentry
trade. The fact that Jesus learned a trade and knew the value
of work should help every business leader and CEO see the
importance of their daily work. This prayer is an excellent place
to start to engage with God as you start the day.
It reads: “O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are
devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of
penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously,
putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work
with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and
develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work
with order, peace, moderation and patience, never shrinking from
weariness and trials; to work above all with purity of intention and
detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death
and the account that I must give of time lost, talents unused, good
omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of
God. All for Jesus… all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph.
Such shall be my watch-word in life and in death. Amen.” 4
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As any reader of the “Parable of the Talents” attests, God is
concerned with work that produces good results. Leaders
and CEOs can quickly become distracted with the current
fires of the day and miss out on the work that God has
specifically designed for them to complete during that
day. The prayer of effectiveness ensures that the leader
keeps in mind the most critical tasks and projects that
will propel them to hear the words, “Well done,” in their
business and throughout eternity.
A PRAYER OF RELEASE
Leaders generally like to maintain control of all things,
but steward leaders understand that God has given them
oversight, not ownership. One prayer that is important for
faith-driven leaders to pray is a prayer of release, which must
be prayed often in the life of the business.
Regal Marine Industries founder, Paul Kuck, prayed this kind
of prayer that made the difference in the ultimate success
of his business. During the economic crisis of 1973—driven
partially by an oil embargo by Middle Eastern nations, with
the company on the verge of closing, Paul penned a letter to
God. It still hangs in the corporate offices of Regal, where he
released his business and made it God’s.
In a marine industry trade publication, current president and
CEO Duane Kuck, offered the following comments about
the Orlando, Florida-based business’ history. Although it’s
been a while since Kuck did the interview, his comments
are still relevant: “My mom and dad founded Regal with
Judeo-Christian principles to operate the business under
those guiding principles when they first founded it in 1969.
Regal went through some really challenging times in 1973,
and my mom and dad became even more committed that
this business belongs to the Lord and that we’re kind of
[its] stewards. We sort of think of it that way, and our faith
is a part of who we are and what we’re doing. Our mission
statement begins with: ‘With God’s help,’ and we believe
that there is a God, and we are able to operate the
business in a way that would be well thought of from an
eternal perspective.”5
Father,
if you are
willing,
take this
cup from me;
yet not
my will,
but yours
be done.
LUKE 22:42
“
”
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11

The prayer of release is a model of Jesus’s prayer in the
Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ prayed, “Not my will,
but yours be done” (Luke 22:42) as He faced the unimaginable
task of going the cross.
A PRAYER OF FAVOR
Christian businesses have the potential to earn a reputation
of “best in class,” regardless of the industry or trade. J.C.
Penney led his department store chain to become the largest
department store chain ever to grace the landscape of
business. Truett Cathy led his restaurant franchise to become
a leader in the field even though he closed the Chick-fil-A
stores one day a week, a practice the business continues to
follow after his death.6
One-time pastor John Maxwell has
become one of the most widely-known leadership experts
and authors in business management. To date, he has written
nearly 100 books, which have sold more than twenty million
copies and often reach the New York Times bestseller lists.
These are just a few examples of Christian leaders who
received favor in their respective fields.
Jesus made a powerful statement about the prayer of
favor in Matthew 7:11: “If you, then, though you are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children, how much
more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those
who ask him!” God is not afraid to give favor to those who
are bold enough to ask and trust Him for the good gifts that
He alone can provide from heaven. Don’t be afraid to ask God
to expand your company beyond your wildest imagination.
If you,
then,
though
you are evil,
know how
to give
good gifts
to your
children,
how much
more will
your Father
in heaven
give good
gifts to
those who
ask him!
MATTHEW 7:11
“
”
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12
How do you feel about the favor of God? Have you ever
asked God for favor? Why or why not?

A PRAYER OF INCREASED INSIGHT
It takes wisdom to run a business. Another prayer that
steward CEOs should focus on is a prayer asking for
knowledge and increased insight into the many decisions
they must make to lead an effective, successful business.
James writes in James 1:5 that “If any of you lacks wisdom,
you should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God wants his
children to seek out His wisdom so that better decisions can
be made.
Stanley Tam illustrated the truth of the above Scripture
in his book; God Owns My Business, which is still in print
fifty years after its release. He wrote how—when he
needed money for U.S. Plastics—he didn’t ask God to send
down some kind of green manna from the skies or for a
handout from a well-heeled Christian businessman: “On
the contrary, I’ve asked God to show how I could upgrade
the effectiveness of our business operations so we could
generate the needed capital,” Tam wrote. “In other words,
I have asked Him to illuminate my mind and guide our
business decisions, and He has wonderfully answered this
kind of prayer thousands of times. My theory is that God
has given each of us a brain and expects us to use it. There
are laws in business just as in anything else, and if we use
our heads in harmony with those laws, we stand a good
chance of success.” 7
The business leaders who recognize they do not know all
things, but they work for the One who does, will take a
huge step towards success when they are motivated to
tap into that knowledge. Asking questions is an excellent
process, and asking the God of wisdom to provide insight is
always a good prayer.
A PRAYER OF PERCEPTION
In his first book, About My Father’s Business, entrepreneur
Regi Campbell—who has been the CEO of four companies—
explored how any faith-based person can impact the
marketplace through identifying and praying for the people
around them. He called it the IMAP grid (where you identify
13
If any
of you lacks
wisdom,
you should
ask God,
who gives
generously
to all
without
finding fault,
and it will
be given
to you.
JAMES 1:5
“
”
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the faith level of every person you influence at work from
apathy to excelling (for more information go to: https://
radicalmentoring.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMAP.
pdf), a tool that will give you a Kingdom focus each day. He
suggested, before starting the workday, put your IMAP in
front of you and pray for the people on that grid. Whether
you pray for them randomly, or the A’s one day and the B’s
the next, is your choice.
“However, praying for the people in your sphere of influence
every day is a ‘must do,’” Campbell wrote. “Ask, ‘Lord, which
of these people do I need to pray for today?’ And then pay
attention to the name or names He draws your eye to. Ask,
‘Father, which of these people do I need to touch today?’ Be
ready to jot down the name He draws your attention to. Ask,
‘Lord, what would You have me do for (whomever He has
directed your attention to)?’ You see, there’s a huge difference
between coming up with some grandiose plan for leading
someone to Christ and this daily approach. That’s what being
about my Father’s business is all about—getting daily orders
and following them. One person, one day, one step at a time.”8
For every faith-driven leader to hear the words, “Well done,”
they must be about their Father’s business in bringing the
people under their care into the knowledge of Jesus and the
possibility of salvation. Therefore, one of the essential tasks
of any leader is to pray for, and with, their people daily.
Praying
for the
people
in your
sphere of
influence
every day
is a
‘must do’.
REGI CAMPBELL
“
ceoexperience.com
”
14
Who on your team or what customer that uses your
business is God asking you to pray for right now?

Win Activity
CEO PRAYER LIST
Rank below the five types of
prayer that every CEO should
pray. Rank them in the order
of most important to least
important, as you see them
pertaining to the kind of
prayer God wants you to focus
on in your organization.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In Ephesians 1:17-21, Paul wrote about the idea of
perception of this prayer for the church of Ephesus:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom
and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray
that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that
you may know the hope to which he has called you, the
riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and
his incomparably great power for us who believe. That
power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted
when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at
his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule
and authority, power and dominion, and every name
that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in
the one to come.”
In other words, Paul was asking God to give the leaders
of that generation eyes to see what He wanted them
to understand so that they could act like Him. Spiritual
leaders in the marketplace must pray for open eyes to see
not only the business opportunities that are before them,
but even more importantly, for the spiritual opportunities
that will provide an eternal return.
How to Start a Prayer Impact Team
A leader who prays for their organization can receive
significant benefits. However, when a team begins to pray
at a company, the company can experience salvations
and business breakthroughs that would heretofore have
seemed impossible.
London-based entrepreneur David Skews, who over
25 years led EDP Health, Safety and Environment Ltd.
to sustained growth in the U.K. and Asia, he also led
his organization to develop a prayer team. It helped
his company during difficult times and refocused their
thinking to recognize God was in control of every situation,
good or bad. Writing for the Business As Mission website,
he reviewed how he and other directors met with Christian
staff members to pray about the business in general and
various issues that arose from time to time.
15

“We found the ideal time for us to meet was early each Monday morning, before the start of the
normal working day,” Skews said. “Although we made no secret that we were meeting for prayer,
this timing reduced (though didn’t entirely eliminate) any accusations of being a ‘holy huddle’ or
‘Christian clique.’ The practice of praying regularly served to focus everyone’s mind on what we
were about. (When) we prayed, there was no distinction between what may in some circles be
considered ‘sacred’ Christian concerns and more ‘secular’ business matters.”9
A faith-led CEO can—and should—start initiatives recognizing God as the Owner of the
business. Despite faith being a political hot potato in modern times, Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 gives CEOs the right to bring whole selves to work and highlight their foundation.
In a story in a human resources newsletter, Brian Grim, president of the Maryland-based Religious
Freedom & Business Foundation, said the law gives people the right to have their religious beliefs
and practices accommodated in the workplace, within reasonable limits.
“’People have a right to express their faith in the workplace—as long as they don’t harass others
or lead people to mistake their private expressions of faith for the employer’s views,’ Grim said.
For example, he said employees could hang a religious picture or keep religious items at their
workstations, wear religious clothing or jewelry, spend their break time in personal devotions such
as reading the Bible, start a voluntary prayer group, or talk to co-workers about their beliefs.” 10
These rights not only extend to all employees, but also to every CEO and business owner. Business
owners should be respectful to all employees, as they are to shine their light to lead others to
God and not push them away.11
You do want to ensure that a prayer group in your organization is a
positive change and not a negative one. Still, God will examine business owners about how they
used the resources that they had at their disposal for Kingdom impact.
One way that business leaders can bring their faith in the workplace is by developing a prayer
group or prayer impact team in their organization. Even though starting a prayer impact team is
simple, it requires some planning. Consider these six steps:
1. Pick a day and time that your prayer impact team can meet each week. Usually, a
Monday morning before the week’s morning shift starts is an ideal time for business.
The prayer team should only meet for no longer than 30 minutes each time they get
together. Note: it can take place during working hours.
2. Select a location where you believe that the prayer impact team can meet that is
easily accessible to team members, but also not in the way of anyone starting work
early. Usually, a conference room is an excellent location.
3. Identify a leader who will help take responsibility for the prayer impact team. This can
be the CEO; with small businesses, it often starts with the owner. Your prayer impact
16 <<< CEO Experience © All Rights Reserved 2019 >>>

team can be more successful if you find a leader to champion the initiative, just as
you would with other projects and tasks in your organization. Once you have identified
a potential leader, spend a few days in prayer, asking God to confirm this selection.
Then go to the prospect and tell them of your desire to develop such a team and that
they lead it.
4. Announce the idea for the new team in an all-hands-on-deck staff meeting or via an
email to all staffers. Inform the team that this is a voluntary initiative and that no
one is required to participate. Tell them the team’s mission will be for the needs of the
business, the employees, suppliers, and customers.
5. Determine a prayer tracking list, which can be a spreadsheet created to record
prayer needs and answers. You might consider putting up a flyer or sending an email
to your customers, informing them that you have developed a prayer impact team to
pray for issues and concerns they have. Encourage them to submit prayer requests to
your company.
6. Be involved in the launch and the first six months afterward. CEOs and business owners
are busy, but the importance of this team can make a difference in the lives of many
employees. Therefore, it is imperative that the CEO make this a top priority during the
launch season at least.
A prayer impact team might become the most essential team in your organization. There is
nothing that has more significance then communicating with the Owner of the business: God.
He is the One who created each employee, customer, supplier, and person the company will deal
with each day. He knows His purpose, and He works to complete His plans. The more that each
individual and the business can be in tune with Him, the higher the probability of success for the
business. And, that His will will be done with excellence.
There is nothing that has more
significance than community with
the owner of the business: God.
ceoexperience.com

Endnotes
#1 Jonathan Alpart, “How You Can Make the Impossible Possible,” Inc., October 8, 2015,
https://www.inc.com/jonathan-alpert/how-to-make-the-impossible-possible.html.
#2 Dan Graves, “Jeremy Lanphier Led Prayer Revival,” christianity.com, June 2007,
https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/jeremy-lanphier-led-prayer-
revival-11630507.html.
#3 Bill Gaultiere, “Jesus’ Solitude and Silence,” SoulShepherding blog,
https://www.soulshepherding.org/jesus-solitude-and-silence/.
#4 Sam Guzman, “A Prayer to St. Joseph Before Work,” The Catholic Gentleman, March 2016,
https://www.catholicgentleman.net/2016/03/a-prayer-to-st-joseph-before-work/.
#5 Trade Only Today Editors, “Q&A with Duane Kuck, President/CEO of Regal Marine Industries,”
Trade Only Today, December 1, 2008,
https://www.tradeonlytoday.com/manufacturers/qa-with-duane-kuck-presidentceo-of-regal-marine-industries.
#6 Brandon Showalter, “Chick-fil-A to become 3rd largest fast-food chain in US sales amid growing popularity,”
ChristianPost, May 9, 2019, https://www.christianpost.com/news/chick-fil-a-to-become-3rd-largest-fast-food-chain-
in-us-sales-amid-growing-popularity.html.
#7 Stanley Tam, God Owns My Business: They Said It Couldn’t Be Done, But Formally And Legally…”
(Camp Hill, PA: Wing Spread Publishers, 1969), 62.
#8 Regi Campbell, About My Father’s Business: Taking Your Faith to Work (Colorado Springs, CO:
Multnomah Books, 2005), 77
#9 David Skews, “How We Built Consistent, Committed Prayer into our Company,” The BAM Review,
November 3, 2015, http://businessasmission.com/how-we-built-prayer/.
#10 Dana Wilkie, “An Invitation to Prayer: Can Religious Gatherings at Work Cross the Line?”, SHRM,
September 22, 2017,
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/religious-accommodations-.aspx.
#11 Alison Green, “What to Do When a Workplace Event Includes Prayer,” Inc., November 10, 2015,
https://www.inc.com/alison-green/what-to-do-when-a-workplace-event-includes-prayer.html.

Articles
Dr. Jim Harris, “7 Prayers to Prosper Your Business,” drjimharris.com, October 23, 2015,
https://www.drjimharris.com/7-prayers-to-prosper-your-business/.
Mary Fairchild, “5 Christian Prayers for the Workday,” Learn Religions, January 2, 2019,
https://www.learnreligions.com/prayers-for-the-work-day-701305.
Puffin, “How To Start a Prayer Line: A Step-by-Step Guide,” FreeConference.com, June 13, 2006,
https://www.freeconference.com/blog/start-prayer-line/.
Videos
Diane Bickle, “How to serve the prayer movement when you are in the marketplace,”
International House of Prayer, April 5, 2018,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb6MW6l0Z4U.
John Piper, “Teach Us to Pray,” Desiring God, December 14, 2015,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-_lmGR9EdE.
dmbarry777, “Fulton Street Revival, April 17, 2007,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHHnNVmQ3vM.
RegalMarine, “Celebrating 40 Regal Years,” June 9, 2011,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcHngei9pIs.
Books
Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Maker-Praying-Circles-
Greatest/dp/0310346916/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1561497975&sr=1-1
Joe Galindo and Greig Detering, Strategic Intercession in Your Business: Kingdom Business
Transformation, Book 1 (Independently Published, 2019),
https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Intercession-Business-Kingdom-Transformation-ebook/
dp/B07NKCRY9F/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=prayer+in+the+marketplace&qid=1561498142&s=digital-
text&sr=1-1.
Additional Resources

19
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NextLevelLeader

EEvery day we ask questions without considering what’s taking place. When we extend a casual
inquiry to a colleague, seek updates on a project, or ask about opportunities with our team,
what are we trying to achieve? Harvard professors Leslie K. John and Alison Wood Brooks believe
there are at least three things. In their article, “The Surprising Power of Questions,” John and
Wood Brooks suggested that we ask questions to exchange information, make an impression, or
strengthen relationships.
Questions are a powerful way of determining how to lead others. Leaders must be effective
in exchanging information to understand the circumstances within the organizations they
are leading. How you orchestrate the exchange of information makes an impression on those
being led and develops our relationships with them. To do all of this well, you must understand
why questions are powerful, the various types of questions we can use, and how to use them
effectively.
Why are questions so powerful? When you think about exchanging information, making an
impression, or strengthening a relationship, asking questions isn’t always the first thing that
comes to mind. Some leaders are convinced that information exchange is a one-way transference
where their ideas replace whatever thoughts are in the minds of others. These leaders believe
that the best impression is made when they’re recognized for how wise they are. And, since they
are so smart and so wise, relationship success is achieved as well. Who wouldn’t love them?
Rather than dispensing information, the best leaders ask the right types of questions posed
at the right time. Asking questions says to the responder, “I care about what you’re thinking.”
That allows for the free flow of information from the responder who develops a trust for the
questioner, enabling the leader to gather important details. When those you lead know you care
about them, you become more likable in their eyes. That impression is critical to how you will
persuade them toward the best decisions. Dwight Eisenhower, 34th president and leader of the
Allied Forces in WWII is quoted as saying, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do
something you want done because he wants to do it.” Leadership success hinges on the beliefs of
those being led. When they believe their leader cares about them and is interested in them, they
will do what is wanted of them because they want to do it.
Next Level Leader:The Power of Questions
<<< CEO Experience © All Rights Reserved 2019 >>> 21

22
The 3 Type of Questions
Knowing about question types allows us to strategically
apply the right kind of question to get the results we desire.
In general, most questions fall into one of three categories.
1. CLOSED QUESTIONS: These questions are fact-based and
quickly answered in a short response which requires little
consideration by the responder. When asked, the questioner
remains in control of the conversation. An example would
be, “Did you attend the meeting?” Closed questions provide
a great starting point for a more in-depth conversation,
especially when followed by a series of open questions.
2. OPEN QUESTIONS: Open questions seek to discover
the feelings or opinions of the responder. They’re gateways
to conversations. Open questions transfer control of the
conversation to the responder. Such questions allow for
an understanding and more profound empathy for the
responder’s feelings. Relationship bonds occur as a result.
An example of an open question as a follow-up would be,
“How do you feel the meeting went?”
3. LEADING OR LOADED QUESTIONS: Leading or loaded
questions are meant to persuade a response. Leading
questions suggest an answer while loaded questions include
assumed facts. Both are intended to elicit a biased response.
An example of a leading question would be, “You will close
the account today, right?” A loaded question would be,
“Were you late for the meeting again?” Viewed in a positive
light, say for coaching purposes, a leading question would be:
“Will the outcome be positive or negative if you don’t follow
through?” Similarly, a loaded question would be: “What are
you doing that’s keeping you from reaching your goal?”
USING QUESTIONS EFFECTIVELY: Questions are a powerful
way to develop critical thinking skills in yourself and others.
Simply put, critical thinking addresses the way we approach
topics. It’s the skill we sharpen by examining things from all
angles, assessing details to determine a course of action.
An excellent method for developing critical thinking skills in
your leadership involves strategically asking questions.
Where have you seen questions used
by someone to make an impression
on others? What kind of impression
would you say they made?
How important do you feel it is for
people to believe their leaders care
about them? How important is it
to care about those you lead?
Asking questions and giving
direction are two elements of
a leadership style. What other
elements come to mind when
thinking about the leadership
style you work best under?

In general, ask closed questions to probe a person’s disposition.
The words and inflection you use are also important. Consider
the difference between, “How are you doing?”, which often
elicits a grunt in response, to “How are you holding up?” Then
play with the words through inflection. Compare the impact
of “How are YOU holding up?” to “HOW are you holding up?”
These closed questions allow you to probe while keeping you in
control of the conversation, informing you of how to follow up
in pursuit of the information you seek.
Follow up closed questions with open ones. By doing so, you
communicate that you care about the person’s feelings. Be
careful not to ask too many open questions in a rapid-fire
approach without engaging in the answers given. Questions
posed back-to-back can feel like an interrogation and destroy
any hopes of a relationship.
By the effective use of closed and open questions to gain
information and establish a relationship, you can begin
to distinguish truth from fiction using leading and loaded
questions. These types of questions provide a great way to
help the responder be truthful and transparent as well as set
up “ah-ha” moments.
CONCLUSION: Knowing how to pose the right questions at
the right time can be a powerful leadership skill. By effectively
using questions to gain information, make an impression, and
develop a relationship, you can learn about those you lead while
developing your critical thinking skills as well as theirs. You can
also collaborate on a course of action with the confidence it will
get done because the one you’re leading knows you are interested
in them and care about them. That empowers them to do what
they want to do - which is exactly what you wanted done.
1 - Alison Wood Brooks and Leslie K. John, “The Surprising Power of Questions,”
Harvard Business Review, From the May-June 2018 Issue, https://hbr.
org/2018/05/the-surprising-power-of-questions
2 - Brainy Quotes, “Dwight D. Eisenhower,” https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/
dwight_d_eisenhower_101562
3 - HBR IDEA CAST, “Ask Better Questions,” May 29, 2018, https://hbr.org/
ideacast/2018/05/ask-better-questions.html
Additional Resources:
Critical Thinking Questions: https://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/48-
critical-thinking-questions-any-content-area/
23
Win Activity
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being
low, how closely aligned
with your earlier answer is
your leader’s style? What’s
one thing you can do to bring
about a closer alignment?
RATING:
How closely aligned is your
leadership style with what
works best for those you lead?
What’s one thing you can do to
bring about closer alignment?

G
Bonus:Three Questions Praying Leaders Ask Every Morning
Great leaders ask questions because leaders are always learning, including learning how to seek
new answers to old questions. The best leaders ask questions of others, as well as themselves.
Through extensive work with CEOs and my marketplace experience, I have discovered that
impactful leaders ask three critical questions every morning. The following serve as foundational
questions that any steward CEO can ask God each morning before they begin their work.
1. WHAT DO I NEED TO RELEASE THAT WOULD SLOW ME DOWN AND GET ME STUCK IN
YESTERDAY?
Your yesterdays have a way of impacting your todays. A focus on yesterday can slow you down;
yesterday never built anything today or tomorrow. To be at your best, you have to rid yourself
of things that hinder your focus, perspective, and direction.
In going to God each morning, it wise to have a checklist of issues, thoughts, and worries that you
want to ask Him to help you to release so that you can be at full capacity today.
FIVE THINGS WISE LEADERS SHED
1. Disappointments and failures of the past
2. Daggers and hurtful words of others
3. Detractors who do not believe in your success
4. Distractions that cause you to lose focus
5. Disbelief—namely, that you can’t fulfill your destiny
The Hebrew writer reminded his readers that to reach your destiny, you must—as he teaches in
Hebrews 12:1—throw off everything that hinders and run the race that is set before you.
The biggest problem many leaders face today is carrying the difficulties of yesterday into
tomorrow. Leaders must learn the art of traveling light. Says consultant and speaker Steve
Maraboli—who overcame a learning disability en route to being selected a “Top Leader to Follow”
by Inc. magazine: “Why let go of yesterday? Because yesterday has already let go of you.” 1

2. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO RECOGNIZE TODAY THAT
WILL HELP YOU HAVE A BETTER TOMORROW?
Here is an important truth. Awareness is a significant
component of a great leader. As leadership expert John
Maxwell states: “To grow yourself, you must know
yourself.” 2
Great leaders are alert leaders, as demonstrated by their
sober-mindedness and habit of constantly thinking and
learning. You should pay attention every day to movements,
trends, and opportunities in the marketplace. Either you
will notice the trends and opportunities first, or your
competition will. Each morning, ask God to give you the
insight into what is changing and what you need to embrace
to be prepared for the future.
3. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO RESIST SO THAT YOU
CAN FIND THE POWER TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S PLAN
TODAY?
Resistance is required in leadership mastery. Leaders
must learn the art of saying “NO.” The “YES” sabotage is a
common theme throughout history. Many leaders fall into
the traps of leadership by allowing themselves to become
busy instead of impactful.
To grow
yourself,
you must
know
yourself.
“
”
ceoexperience.com
25
How much time each day do you spend thinking about
yesterday?

Ask God to help you to slow down so that you can walk with Him to accomplish His purpose for
your life and your business. Here are a few places that leaders make the mistake of moving too fast:
• Many leaders spend time running. Leaders run from one meeting to the next. They start
the day in high gear and keep going throughout the day. When leaders run, they have no
time to reflect. Resist running all day long, by focusing on your top priorities.
• Many leaders spend time ordering. People look to a leader for direction; many of them
come to the CEO’s office throughout the day to find answers and solutions. But there can
be too much of this. When the top leader is busy making all of a company’s decisions, the
company will grow stagnant. Resist constantly giving an answer to others. Learn to
delegate effectively.
• Many leaders spend time hiding. Too many develop the bad habit of separating
themselves from their teams. Leaders should never be separate from their teams—
they are part of the team. Resist leaving the team behind. Engage your team by asking
good questions.
• Many leaders spend time calendaring. Most leaders overbook their calendars and their
time with too much activity. Those who do this can find themselves addicted to the habits
of activity. Resist being over-busy. Great leaders learn how to move away from the activity
to impact. Reserve personal time for yourself.
A LEADERSHIP PROMISE
When a leader commits each day to ask God these three critical questions, they will become a
more robust and impactful leader. These questions can be quick to review, but they are powerful
and can have a lasting impact both in the business and for eternity.
1 - GoodReads, “Yesterday’s Quotes,” https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/yesterday.
2 - AZQuotes, “John C. Maxwell,” https://www.azquotes.com/quote/877610.

BEST SCORE
Take-Away
SCORE TO WATCH
Take-Away
MIND
BUSINESS FOLLOWERSHIP
ENERGY
HEALTH
LEADERSHIP RELATIONSHIP
COMPASS
MOST IMPORTANT SCORE TO IMPROVE
Pathway To Improvement
MONTH
FocusWheel
28
Give yourself a score in each area below from 0 to 10. Starting with 0 in
the middle and 10 as the outer rim. The higher the rating the better you
feel about that area for the last 30 days. This wheel is designed to help
you know where to focus your actions and behaviors in the next 30 days
to see a better performance of your life and leadership.

FOLLOWERSHIP
ENERGY
COMPASS
RELATIONSHIPS
MIND
PHYSICAL HEALTH
LEADERSHIP
BUSINESS
MONTH
Win List
29
GOALS DREAMS PRAYERS

These questions are designed to bring clarity and focus to
the leader. When a leader is clear, everything becomes clear.
QUESTION QUADRANT
QUESTION ANSWER
GROWTH:
What is the most significant lesson
you have learned in the last 30 days?
INNOVATION:
What is the most significant change
that you have noticed in the past 30 days.
FOCUS:
What is the most critical task
that you are trying to complete
and when will it be completed?
THANKS:
What is the best breakthrough
or win to celebrate that you have
enjoyed in the last 30 days?
What additional questions do I need to be asking myself to succeed?
StrategicVision
30

QUESTION ANSWER
What two critical projects are you
working on that will make your
organization better a year from now?
What problem or issue are you spending time
on that you wish you could find the answer?
VISION & DIRECTION
What decision do you need to make this
month, to not have regret this time next year?
What action or change do you need to make
in order to help your business succeed?
BIG PICTURE
WHAT TASKS ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING THAT
YOU COULD DELEGATE/ HIRE SOMEONE ELSE TO DO?
TASK TO
DELEGATE
PERSON TO
LEAD TASK
StrategicVision
31
DO: ACTION TO TAKE
DELEGATE:
DECIDE: NEXT STEPS

Best Ideas
32
Best Ideas from My Peers Best Ideas I Heard from the Guide
<<< LEARNING >>>
Best Ideas To Share With My Team Best Ideas That I Will Implement
<<< APPLYING >>>
Best Ideas from the Bible Best Ideas that I shared

Case Stories
KEY CHARACTERS: HERO: VILLAIN:
THE SCENE:
The ____________________________________________ has been __________________________________
because they are ___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________.
describe the reason and impact
THE CLIMAX/TENSION:
Now I feel ___________________ because _____________________________________________________
explanation of why
____________________________________________________________________________________________.
So I am thinking that I should _____________________________________________________________.
path to consider
THE POSSIBLE PATHWAYS:
OPTION OPTION OPTION OPTION
OTHER AREAS TO CONSIDER:
LESSONS LEARNED AND KEY TAKE AWAYS FROM THIS SITUATION:

Action Steps:
34
How would you describe your prayer life? Do you find it
easy to pray or hard to pray?
What benefits do you think good faith driven leaders
receive when they practice the habit of praying? What
benefit do you think you might receive if you would
increase your prayer patterns?
Have you ever prayed with your team? How do you feel
about leading a prayer impact team at your organization?
Do you know who on your team is a Christian? Do you
think your team members would be receptive to you
praying with them?
Accountability and Application
Progress Made on the Most Critical Projects:
#1
#2
#3
#4
No man is greater than his prayer life.
LEONARD RAVENHILL
“ ”
ceoexperience.com

35
GOAL 1 ______% complete
Steps taken this month to complete the goal:
Business Update
8
YEARLY VISION
MONTHLY
DASHBOARD
ACTION PLAN:
Define what actions need
to be taken in the next 30
days to keep the business
moving forward.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Ken Gosnell 240.396.7671 • kengosnell@ceoexperience.com
ceoexperience.com

CXP CEO Executive Retreat Guide - The Power of a Praying Organization

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