Pray for Your Boss

A longtime friend called Monday night to ask for prayer and advice. He had been falsely accused of mishandling situations and tasks at his work, though he had documentation proving he was just carrying out the wishes of his immediate supervisor. During a meeting, the General Manager of the company spoke to my friend in a harsh, rude and bitter manner, while my friend’s immediate supervisor remained silent. The documentation that was presented was rejected by the G.M. My friend has been with the company for 27 years.

Obviously, he was very upset. After 27 years of dedicated service, to be talked to in such a harsh manner when he had done nothing wrong was a gross injustice.

My friend asked how he should handle it. I felt honored that he would ask since he has walked with the Lord most of his life and I have been saved only 2 ½ years. But I looked to the scriptures for an answer and found it in several places:

Matthew 5:44-45

44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:14-15

14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 18:21-22

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay wrong with wrong, or abuse with abuse; on the contrary, retaliate with blessing, for a blessing is the inheritance to which you yourselves have been called.

Eph 4:31-32

Let there be no more bitter resentment or anger, no more shouting or slander, and let there be no bad feeling of any kind among you. Be kind to each other, be compassionate. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

Rom 12:17-21

Don't pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. See that your public behavior is above criticism. As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone. Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: "It is mine to avenge, I will repay," says the Lord. And it is also written: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Don't allow yourself to be overpowered by evil. Take the offensive--overpower evil with good!

Of course knowing what the Bible says and acting like a Christian in such a situation is not an easy task. Our first reaction is to strike back with our defense shields up. But that’s not what Jesus taught. He taught forgiveness. That was the advice I gave my friend, that he pray for his boss and the hostile General Manager and forgive them for their hurtful and false comments. It’s not easy but by doing so you’ll show others, especially non believers, what it means to have the Holy Spirit living inside your heart.

What would you do? Email your response to info@amazinggraceradio.com.