Several years ago, I was on the road working with a couple of different clients and found myself with an open day. I was alone and decided to spend the day reflecting and planning for some upcoming commitments. After a while I needed to take a break. I didn't feel like watching TV or going out, I just wanted to relax.
I was staying in a Hilton Hotel, and while I was arranging my things, I discovered a little book called Be My Guest - The Autobiography of Conrad Hilton. I opened the book and was immediately captivated by this unusual story of success.
A Man of Faith
At the time, the only thing I knew about the Hilton family, was that they had a famous heir who was traipsing around the world in a spoiled and erotic frenzy. I assumed that the she came from a long line of excessive living and believed that she accurately represented her roots.
Conrad's story painted a much different picture. He was a man of faith. His mother taught him that prayer was the best investment that he would ever make and so he began nearly every day at his place of worship on his knees in prayer.
He credited the power of prayer to have saved him from the pains of economic turmoil. He said it brought peace in his life. Conrad did not keep his belief in prayer to himself. He spoke about it everywhere he went. His efforts led to the initiation of our National Day of Prayer. He was a very powerful leader, and he was not alone in his belief in prayer, as many other powerful leaders of his time, including many of our government officials, regularly espoused the power of prayer.
What Happened?
Today, just a mere 30 years after Conrad Hilton's death, most business people see prayer as an absurd habit and not a behavior worth developing. I know only a few leaders who consider it an important use of time. I have written about it before, and received emails stating that I am foolish to write about such a topic and that doing so will lead to an erosion of my reader base. Some have gone so far to suggest that praying is a lot like believing in Santa Claus and that it is something only a child would believe in doing.
I wonder what happened? How have we moved so far in so short a time? How is it possible, that only 30 years ago, some of our greatest leaders were speaking of prayer and its power in their lives without any fear of being called childish or foolish.
We Need To Pray
Conrad Hilton's story influenced me. His was not an easy journey. He nearly lost everything during the Great Depression, but he remained faithful to his belief in prayer and eventually rebuilt his empire. My mother taught me to pray too. It was a difficult habit to learn and I admit feeling the pressure from those who scorn its practice, but I stuck with it until I learned to view it as one of the most important investments I make each day. I am grateful for Conrad's willingness to extol this virtue. I love learning from successful people who have the integrity to share their keys to success.
What are your thoughts about prayer?
Is it an investment you regularly make?
Have you experienced its power in your life?
Many believe prayer is a passive process, but it is much more than that. I view it as an active conversation that continues throughout the day. I also learned that the answers to our prayers do not always come in the way we hoped they would come. Generally speaking, we must be willing to submit our will to the will of God. That is a hard thing to do, because it requires faith. In way, the critics of prayer are right – it does require child like faith.
I pray with the attitude that everything depends upon God, and then I get up and begin to move my feet as if everything depends upon me. As I am working, I listen for the guiding responses that always come. It is not always easy to align myself with those messages, but I have learned that it is worth it. The times when I decided to do it my way, are the times when I have suffered the most. I am grateful for my understanding of the power of prayer. I dare you to make it one of your most important daily investments.
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