Pray Before You Plan [Real Estate Dev #152]
Scripture
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3
Devotional
Developers are planners by nature.
Before construction begins, there may be months or years of analysis, design, budgeting, financing, entitlement work, negotiations, and revisions. Planning is essential.
But there is an important question for the Christian developer: When does prayer enter the process?
Too often, we develop the plan first and then ask God to bless it.
Biblical wisdom reverses the order.
Prayer should precede planning because prayer acknowledges that God sees more than we do. You may understand the market, but God understands the future. You may know the economics, but God knows every person and circumstance that will eventually affect the project.
Prayer does not replace disciplined analysis. It puts analysis in its proper place.
Nehemiah provides a powerful example. Before he approached the king, organized resources, or rebuilt Jerusalem's walls, he prayed. His planning flowed from dependence upon God rather than confidence in himself.
The same principle applies to development.
Pray before the acquisition meeting.
Pray before submitting the offer.
Pray before the design charrette.
Pray before the lender presentation.
Pray before entering city hall.
Your greatest competitive advantage is not knowing everything.
It is knowing the One who does.
Reflection Questions
• Does prayer typically precede my planning or follow it?
• What current project needs deeper prayer?
• Where have I been relying primarily on my own expertise?
Action Step
Before your next significant project meeting, spend several intentional minutes praying for God's wisdom, direction, and protection.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me when I plan first and seek You later. Teach me to begin with prayer and allow my plans to flow from dependence upon You. Direct my work according to Your wisdom and purposes. Amen.
Sign up to receive daily email devotionals.
Want to go deeper?
Download The Divine Purpose of a Real Estate Developer eBook, study guide, and additional materials to help you integrate your faith into every part of your career.
This devotional is designed to encourage you as you live out your faith in the workplace. It works best when paired with regular time in Scripture, prayer, and worship—the rhythms through which we grow to know Christ more deeply and become more like Him.
Comments