Tag: Prayer

Communication

A key practice of spiritual leaders is prayer, which is significant for a couple of reasons.

First, leaders understand the need to communicate with the One who is in control of all things. To have an audience with God yields the greatest power in every situation.

Second, understanding how communication works with God also helps leaders understand the need for effective communication with others.

Communication is a noteworthy subject in every relationship. While it applies to leaders, it also applies to everyone.

When leaders are effective communicators issues are resolved more quickly and progress results.

Unscriptural or Uncomfortable?

There is a difference in something being uncomfortable versus unscriptural.

The challenge is recognizing the difference, but how?

Know the book. When knowledge of God’s word is weak, leaders will struggle to know if something is biblical or not.

Seek wisdom through prayer. Prayer is one of the most powerful tools and often neglected. God says ask for wisdom and it will be given.

Ask the right questions.
What does the Bible say about this matter? Is this practice tradition? Should it continue? How will it affect the church?

Be patient. No decision should be made in one meeting. Give it time, but be careful not to procrastinate.

Epaphras…

Epaphras is only mentioned three times in the New Testament. Two of those three are located in Colossians. The third location is Philemon.

However, when we examine these three references, we find why he is a wonderful example of leadership.

Epaphras was a beloved, fellow bondservant of Christ, indicating he was loved, faithful, and a devoted follower of Christ.

He is noted as a fellow prisoner in Christ, indicating he suffered persecution for the sake of Christ.

Epaphras was one who labored earnestly (wrestled) in prayer on behalf of these Christians.

Leaders need to be faithfully devoted to Jesus, willing to suffer for Him, and wrestle in prayer for others.

Seize the Day

People often need a specific day to work on changes in their life. Some start working on better habits in life and others find ways to stop bad ones.

Recognizing the need to improve our lives is a positive step in the right direction.

Is today a new beginning to lead a…

Soul to the light of our Savior?
Straying brother or sister to the family of God?
Deeper study into the truths of God’s word?
More passionate approach to speak with God in prayer?

Whatever the need, every day is a new beginning. Let us achieve spiritual leadership for our Lord in this day.

When Jesus Prayed

When Jesus prayed…

He anticipated returning to the Father, glorifying the One who sent Him.

He asked for protection over those given to Him, entrusted with the task of continuing the work.

He added a request for unity among all who would believe in Him through their word.

He addressed the problem of the world’s lack of knowing the Creator and the One sent by Him.

Imagine the difference that could be made in the world today if leaders spent time focused on praying for these four areas.

A Prayer for Sight

One of the great prayers in the Old Testament is found in 2 Kings 6:17 where Elisha said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Elisha prayed that God would help his servant see beyond what the physical eye could behold to witness a far greater battle.

Leaders must pray for others to see a spiritual realm of truth. The idea is about an ability to see through the eye of faith and recognize the greatness of our God.

The prayer of a leader moves the One who moves the universe. May He open all our eyes to see more clearly and fully.

A Leadership Gift

People tend to enjoy receiving gifts. Usually, we appreciate the intent more than the price. I like the way Paul said it, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way if it benefited others. Specifically, he desired their salvation.

In a self-serving world, it is challenging to find leaders who desire more to give than receive. As spiritual leaders, we focus on giving ourselves so others might be saved.

Our prayer should be to see the ways we can spend and be spent in the Lord’s service.

Prayerful Leaders

In 2 Kings 19:14 we learn that Hezekiah “spread it out before the Lord.”

Facing the potential destruction of Jerusalem, Hezekiah knew he needed to take the situation before God. He spread it all out before Him. Nothing concerning the threat of destruction was left unaddressed.

Even though God knew, Hezekiah still spread it all out before the One in control of all things.

It’s a great lesson in leadership. When we face difficult circumstances, instead of trying to resolve the matter on our own, imagine the difference made by trusting in the One who has complete control. Spread it all out before Him.

Prayer of a Leader

Too often, prayer is used like a spare tire; we pull it out of the trunk when something goes wrong and we need a little help until everything is patched up.

Prayer is also seen a last ditch effort when everything else we try fails.

Prayer is the beautiful expression of a heart that beats in rhythm with God. Leaders understand the need to walk in relationship with God. Thus, leaders find themselves in constant communication with the One who leads us all.

Consider men like Enoch (Gen. 5), Noah (Gen. 6), Abraham (Gen. 12), the prophets, and apostles, who led lives in harmony with God.

Prayer

We communicate with God through prayer. Our approach to God is significant when thinking about prayer. Consider the apostles who desired to learn how to pray (Lk. 11:1).

We need reverence when approaching God’s throne to speak. Without a doubt, He is to be revered and lifted up by our hearts through the words expressed from our lips.

However, this is not the only approach found in scripture, and the model prayer was not intended to be a formula used in every prayer.

Prayer signifies a relationship and leaders need to understand more fully the relationship represented through prayer.