How much more effectively might you lead if you had a direct line to the President of the United States? Imagine a red phone on your desk that you could pick up and talk at a moment’s notice to the leader of the free world. More importantly, the President would listen and act on your behalf when necessary. A faith-centered leader has that kind of access to Someone Whose power and purview dwarf that of a mere president. Through prayer, we have one-to-one access to the Creator of the Universe.
A faith-centered leader’s most important spiritual tool for life and leadership is prayer. We often overlook the tremendous promises God makes with prayer. Consider though what God says about praying. First, God says that He hears our prayers. 1 Peter 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer…” Secondly, God says that He answers and acts based on our prayers. John 15:7 promises, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
If these two statements are true, then prayer indeed is a powerful and personal tool for a faith-centered leader. To know that God both listens and acts based on prayer means that we can pray regularly and with great effect. James 5:16 echoes this fact: “…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Think about how you might organize and use your prayer methodically to accomplish God’s purposes through your own life and leadership:
Pray about your purpose. Take time daily to pray about your role in the world, and the work God has prepared for you to undertake. Pray about your work as a means by which to fulfill God’s purpose for you. Ask God for wisdom in the steps you take in life and business. Pray that you will submit to God and trust Him in faith to lead you in every small and large decision. God sometimes directs toward a singular task, but most of the time the goal is not to search for a specific purpose, but rather to live and work on purpose, with the Kingdom of God at the forefront of your thoughts throughout your day. God’s purpose for our lives is continual, which may be among the reasons He told us to pray continually (1 Thesssalonians 5:16-17).
Words of prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to constantly be on the lookout for ways in which you can use me to accomplish your purposes in my own life and in the world. Let my actions and attitudes be about Your glory alone, and help me to be aligned with Your will for me in my family, marriage, community and workplace.
Pray about your people. Each day, pray for individuals in your sphere of influence. Start with your spouse and immediate family. Consider next your extended family, friends, coworkers and associates. To pray on behalf of others is called intercessory prayer. Pray constantly for all of the people around you. Ask God to intercede in their affairs of those around you for their good and for His glory. Prayer for other people also magnifies your empathy and compassion for them as you earnestly seek God for their benefit. Scripture gives us instructions to pray for boldness to share our faith with others (Ephesians 6:18-20), to pray for the healing of others (James 5:16) and “ that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Words of prayer: Heavenly Father, my earnest desire for my friends, family and coworkers is for each of them to have a personal relationship with You, and that You might work in their lives for their good and for Your glory. I pray for the needs of those around me, and that You will act with grace, mercy and compassion in every challenge and difficulty. I thank You for allowing me these relationships and pray that I will make the most of them in light of Your will for me.
Pray about your progress. Your personal, professional and spiritual growth is also a matter of prayer. The Holy Spirit working in and through your life desires for you to grow in all areas so that you can be more effective as a father, husband, man, coworker and leader. Pray about your work as an environment for spiritual growth. In Colossians 1:9-10 we read that believers prayed regularly about personal development: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”
Words of prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to know You more deeply and fully, and I pray that You may grow me spiritually as I study Your Word, pray and seek to live out my faith in You through my words and actions. Help me to turn away from sins and temptations that might ensnare me, and let me be an influence on those around me to be more like You in thoughts and deeds. Give me a greater understanding of Your Person, and help me to be wise and discerning in all of my relationships and decisions.
Pray about your platform. Daily, ask God to give clear direction in how to best use your position to God’s glory. Pray about your workplace as an opening for ministry. Jesus Himself prayed about His own role and example in the world, saying to God: “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:18-21). We echo Jesus’ mission in the world as we minister to others, share our faith, encourage, and act in unity with other believers.
Words of Prayer: Heavenly Father, please use me in my position of influence to draw others to You. I realize you have placed me in the position I am in in order to accomplish Your purpose in me. Help me to stay sharp and be on the lookout for opportunities to point people to Jesus. Give me openings to minister to others in Jesus’ name who are distressed or troubled and need encouragement, help and spiritual guidance. Remind me constantly that I am on a much bigger mission.
Leaders by nature want to win. They want to win the account, win the deal, win the quarter, win the best staff, win at products, win at service. This is why Jesus’ teaching for leaders to “love your enemies” is tremendously challenging.