Well-attended, newly organized prayer session 'uplifting and encouraging' for retailers in 'tough days'

While a shortened schedule may have tempted attendees to focus solely on business at ICRS, they were encouraged not to lose sight of the ministry aspect of their efforts.

During the opening Worship Now! session, author Anne Graham Lotz issued a spiritual challenge to attendees to remember the cross and ministry in the midst of the business and deals of the show. That theme resonated throughout the event and was underscored with a well-attended, newly organized prayer session on the exhibit floor.

During her sermon, Lotz encouraged the crowd, comprised mostly of retailers and industry leaders. "Don't lose your focus, ICRS," she said, holding up her Bible. "This is the book, isn't it?"

Lotz told the story of a boy whose father had given him a ticket to the circus, but mistakingly thought the pre-circus parade was it and gave away his ticket. Likening the Christian experience to the circus, she addressed retailers who have not fully engaged in a Christian life, asking them to consider placing their trust in Christ.

"Some of us are on the periphery (of the experience)," she said. "We're just on the sidelines."

Special music for the opening event was provided by Essential Records artist Matt Maher and Integrity Music artist Ken Reynolds. CBA Chairman Jim Whitaker opened the event in prayer and interceded for retailers in areas such as discernment, encouragement and commitment.

CBA President Bill Anderson, who introduced Lotz, told the crowd that "these are some of the toughest days we've seen." Still, he remarked that "this morning's not about ICRS, it's about God," urging the estimated crowd of 600-700 to focus on worship.

During the prayer session, more than 50 attendees representing industry leadership and retailers packed the presentation room in the ICRS Town Center to pray for the Christian products industry. The attendance exceeded expectations, with organizers rushing to find more chairs.

First-time ICRS attendee Annette Rajskup said she enjoyed the prayer meeting. "It was uplifting and encouraging," said Rajskup, who started Hanford Bible and Gifts in Hanford, Calif., with her mother in December 2007.

Brenda Harrison—co-owner of Lighthouse Christian Bookstore in Bedford, Ind., which was recognized with a CBA Spirit of Excellence Award—agreed.

"I did not want to miss it," she said. "They had prayer for each aspect of our industry. It was very important."

Brian Banashak, owner of Evergreen Press, who organized the event, said he was encouraged by CBA's theme of providing "real help for your business."

"That’s why we're gathering here,” he said. "We need to reach out to the Lord for help with our industry."

Anderson, who addressed the group, said God can "use this difficult time in the industry" to bring Christians back to their first love, also adding that retailers and suppliers will be "held accountable for what we propagate."

"We need to be discerning with what we buy and sell," he said. "We've let market presence dictate to us."

Prayer was then held for Anderson specifically, with several individuals gathering around him as he knelt. Then various industry leaders and retailers led the crowd in eight prayers. The podium was then opened for individual prayers.

Banashak, who received "good feedback" on the service through the rest of the week, said he felt the prayer meeting showed signs of a shift in focus for industry leaders.

"It is obvious from the prayers offered at the prayer meeting that God has the attention of the CBA leadership, other industry leaders, and CBA members and non-members—that is focusing more on God than marketing or techniques," he said.

Regarding Anderson's challenge to examine what is published and sold, Banashak said Evergreen Press subsequently turned down a book during the week based on those remarks.

Banashak said he plans to continue updating the prayer Web site for the retailers trade association, www.prayerforcba.com, to "keep up the prayer focus as an ongoing ministry to CBA."

Lighthouse's Harrison said she was impacted by To Save a Life—a teen-oriented movie by evangelism and church resource organization Outreach—which is due to release in 1,000 theaters in January.

"The ministry aspect of To Save a Life to reach our next generation is going to be powerful," she said.

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