Prayer can be a subject often taken for granted. The application to how we draw closer to God, grow spiritually, or endure trials is often just to pray more.

I am not trying to downplay the importance or use of prayer. In fact, I believe it is one of the most powerful, unused, tools in the Christian arsenal.

We have listened to and probably led numerous prayers.

What is prayer? How should we pray? Why do we pray? Does prayer really influence God?

The book of James emphasizes prayer. Seven times in the last eight verses of the book, James uses prayer.

Several controversial issues could be discussed from this section. However, this is not our purpose.

Three keys to spiritual leadership rise to the top.

1) Elders are identified as righteous men who are to pray.
2) The working prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
3) Turning sinners from their error will save them.

Leading people to salvation must be at the heart of a righteous leaders’ prayer.

…is an often used phrase and the title of a hit song from the late 70’s. The song expresses confidence to defeat whoever or whatever is faced.

I am not suggesting we ask God to allow Satan to throw his best shot. I remember Job. God knew Job’s limitations and, short of death, allowed Satan his best shot. Job lost his possessions, children, and health.

My interest here is the confidence to endure whatever Satan brings. Spiritual leaders are going to face challenges. Rest assured, Satan will throw everything God allows in an attempt to stop our work.

How can we develop the confidence to withstand Satan? The answer is based in Ephesians 6:10-18. We need the Lord’s strength and His armor. Herein lies the power to defeat Satan’s best shot.

Every piece of armor is vital for equipping spiritual leaders with confidence.

God knows our limitations.
We must not leave off any piece of armor.
We cannot fight unprotected.
We must prepare before, not during, battle.
The war will be fierce.

We must hit Satan with our best shot. The Lord will be victorious. We will win!

…is a familiar idiom. It is the moment of truth, not talk, but action.

In athletics, it is being a clutch player. I played basketball in High School. I used to shoot free throws for hours. At times I would make 90-95%. In practice I was at the top of my game. However, stepping up to the line during the game is where the rubber met the road.

When it counts is where athletes learn how good they are…or not.

I read and discuss leadership in several venues. I love the subject. I especially enjoy discussing it with men I admire as leaders.

However, there is a difference in learning and doing.

When tough decisions must be made, the rubber meets the road.
How mistakes are handled is where the rubber meets the road.
Our response when receiving criticism is where the rubber meets the road.

Here is where true leadership is discovered. Let us stand strong when our leadership is tested.

There are those who see what needs to happen, those who make it happen, and those who make it happen when it counts.

Be a clutch leader.

My wife and I recently made reservations and stayed at a local hotel in Jackson, TN. We wanted an inexpensive, but comfortable, place to sleep.

When we arrived, we were not impressed with the appearance. We had to wait to check in. When we finally checked into the room, again, we were not overly impressed.

However, the next morning, as we walked in for breakfast, the clerk from the night before greeted us, “good morning Mr. and Mrs. Turner, how was your night’s rest?” I was impressed.

It was just a little thing, but remembering our names and greeting us made the difference.

Remembering someone’s name and greeting them is important.

“I’m not good with names” is a common excuse. However, we remember what is important to us.

If we want to make a difference, someone’s name is important. Is your name important to you? Remembering something as simple as a name is powerful.

Carry a pad and write down their name.
Repeat their name in the conversation.
Afterwards, make a note to associate with their name.

Remember, little things make a big difference.

A number of key words occur throughout the Bible. These words help define a theme and purpose for every book.

There are some words used consistently throughout the entire New Testament translated in different ways. One such word is the focus of today’s post. It is generally translated as “do,” “act,” “produce,” and a number of other words. However, this particular word stands out because the original meaning is powerful – make it happen.

For example, Jesus taught; “everyone who hears these words of mine and does (acts upon) them, is like a man who built his house upon the rock.” The idea is to take the words of Christ and make them happen.

In spiritual leadership we need to make it happen.

A common element among all leaders is they make things happen. It could be both good and bad, but the bottom line is leaders make things happen. As spiritual leaders we need to take the words of Christ and make them happen.

What perspective do we have on what we are accomplishing? When the Lord examines our leadership, will it be characterized by what we made happen?

Discouragement plagues leadership at the most unusual times and ways. Generally, when it is least expected, discouragement tends to come in like stealth.

During these experiences in leadership we need to remember to keep pushing.

Satan is diligent in his efforts to discourage us. He knows if he can discourage us enough, we will quit. Keep pushing.

Quitting is an easy way out. However, is it really?

Will quitting help us reach the goal? Will it accomplish the will of God?

What happens to those who are following if leadership quits?

Discouragement is inevitably going to happen. How we deal with discouragement makes the difference in spiritual leadership.

Keep pushing.

The antonym to discouragement is encouragement. As interesting as it may sound, when we focus on encouraging others our own discouragement seems to disappear.

Remember, it can always be worse and there is always someone worse off.

As well, I have found an acronym to the word push helpful, Pray Until Something Happens.

God certainly knows how to aid His leadership in overcoming discouragement.

With all of the religious confusion that exists, is it too much to ask? From the disillusion of money- driven televangelists, so-called faith healers, and the emotionally blinded acceptance of feel-good preaching, is it too much to ask?

Jesus said, “I am the way.” Why is it more are not pointing to Him?

Looking into the eyes of people in countries around the world, including the USA reveals the same need.

Our tendency is generally to see physical needs. We want to provide food, clothing, transportation, housing, or training to develop work skills.

I am not opposed to helping others with physical needs. Jesus gave us an example of such.

However, there is a great imbalance in our approach to the physical versus spiritual needs.

We need to show people the way to spiritual and eternal life. This is the task of spiritual leadership.

How long will it be until the Lord returns? This is the $64 million dollar religious question.

If the answer were known, what would happen?

Some would delve into or continue in sin right up until the last minute, try to make amends, repent and then expect to be rewarded by God.

It is possible some would use the knowledge to create fear for personal gain. We have seen this among those who predict the return of Christ.

There are those who would make the necessary preparation for His return and others who would remain diligent in the Lord’s work until He returns.

The question is not about when the Lord will return. The question waiting to be answered is, how long will it be until we decide to lead?

God demands spiritual leadership.
The church is hungering and thirsting for spiritual leadership.
The world is filled with people dying for a lack of spiritual leadership.
Preparation for the Lord’s return demands spiritual leadership.

How much longer will we wait?

If we want to stand out in a crowd we just need to be ourselves.

Following the crowd, the latest fad or trend, or jumping on the bandwagon, are familiar phrases. In fact, the idea has probably been around longer than anyone reading this post.

Is this what our leadership is all about? Are we simply trying to fit in or blend in with what appears to be the latest and greatest?

Spiritual leadership should be unique. We are to lift up the Light of the world. Therefore, we should stand out in a world of darkness.

Why is it so important to stand out when it seems easier to follow the crowd?

Following the majority can have severe and eternal consequences. Jesus teaches this principle in the Sermon on the Mount. Remember, “whatever is popular may not always be what is right, and what is right may not always be what is popular.”

Our path is a matter of choice. The choice we make influences others. If it helps others get to heaven standing out in / from the crowd is worth it.

Last week I began reading a book on Christian Ethics by Norman Geisler. From the first page, the book addresses a number of areas surrounding a subject desperately needed today.

Ethics deals with what is right and wrong morally. The basis upon which this system exists determines how everyone lives life.

A correct understanding of ethics is vital to the direction of spiritual leadership. It should be obvious, but I will say it anyway. God’s word should be the only foundation for our ethical standard.

The book of Judges describes a time when there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Israel rejected God and the standard of ethics given them in the Law. The result led Israel into idolatry and, ultimately, destruction.

Sadly, we can see the same mindset and result in the 21st century. Allowing the influence of humanism, situational, and post-modernistic ethics destroys spiritual leadership.

We must be diligent to live and lead by the standard of ethics determined and given by our God. Only then will have ethical leadership.