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 leadership approach related to prayer. I told him that each morning while I’m driving to work, 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 initiative? This is an area in which I struggle at times. I consider the options, gather the facts, ask for input, and often make decisions based on what I know or want. After all, I’ve been on this planet for 59 years and have been in a leadership position of one sort or another for more than 30 of them. Certainly, I know what’s best. Right?
Maybe. But, I answered a calling more than 16 years ago to be in paid ministry. Before that, I answered a calling to be in volunteer ministry. In fact, 20 years ago, I made my decision to follow Christ. So, way back then, I decided to follow and prayer is now essential for doing what I do.
I lead others in the church to a place that He wants us to go.