How does your prayer life affect your leadership? Have you given this much thought? Leading, especially in the church, cannot and should not be done without a lot of prayer!

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day when I articulated my approach to leadership as it relates to prayer. I told him that each morning, while I’m driving to work in my S-10 Pickup, I talk to God about how I would like Him to use me that day. “God, help me to do what you want (instead of what I want) today as a leader in your church.” I often pray, “God, give me the direction that I need to navigate the day.”

As a leader, do you find yourself (often, sometimes?) making decisions and acting solely on your own initiative? This is an area in which I struggle at times. I consider the options, gather the facts, ask for input, and make decisions many times based on what I know or what I want. After all, I’ve been on this planet for 46 years and have been in a leadership position of one sort or another for more than 20 of them. Certainly I know what’s best. Right?

Maybe. But, I answered a calling almost 4 years ago to be in paid ministry. Before that I answered a call to be in volunteer ministry. In fact, more than 10 years ago I made a decision to follow Christ. So, way back then I made a decision to follow and prayer is now an essential part of doing what I do.

I lead others in the church to a place that He wants us to go. How about you?