What is Jesus saying to leaders today about prayer?
I watched bits-and-pieces of this week’s Republican National Convention. I believe politics matters for everyday lives of ordinary people, so the work of politics merits our attention. Even as I increasingly grieve the way that Politics has amplified the angst and anxieties of our national culture.
As “God and Country” vibes continue to permeate the Republican Party, references and acts of prayer remain a part of the convention. And while the most talked about prayer was a Sikh prayer, the overwhelming majority of prayers were offered in the name of Christ.
So that has me wondering what Jesus is saying to leaders about prayer.
What comes to mind for me are not exclusively political leaders. I have in mind any man or woman whose work involves guiding a group of people into their own transformation (hopefully, for the sake of others). Those kind of people doing that kind of work are leaders.
And I believe Jesus has a simple word of encouragement to us about prayer: WHEN.
In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus teaches us that “When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.”
Jesus assumes that the people listening to him pray. He also assumes that there is a need to adjust and correct our head, heart and habits of prayer. I’ll skip over Jesus’ insistence that prayer provides a reward for those who pray, although some rewards are more valuable than others. Instead, let’s explore a leader’s vision for prayer, practices to help leaders pray, and examples of how leaders can help others grow in prayer.
A Leader’s Vision for Prayer
Prayer is a critical component of effective leadership, as modeled by Jesus. He often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16), rising early to spend time in solitude with the Father (Mark 1:35). A leader's vision for prayer should be clear and intentional, animated by and prioritized because of prayer’s transformative power. For leaders who live as apprentices of Jesus, the practice of prayer aligns and alters the heart and mind of a leader into the heart and mind of Jesus.
Practices to Help Leaders Pray
So how should leaders pray? While there is a personal element to answering that question based on personality and stage of a leader’s spiritual journey, here are five practices of prayer that are particularly helpful in shaping the interior life of a leader:
Fixed-Hour Prayer. Setting aside specific times for prayer, as Daniel did (Daniel 6:10), helps maintain consistency and discipline.
Solitude. Creating a space free from distractions allows leader to encounter the God who loves them in profound ways.
Silence. Listening for God’s voice rather than focusing on our words deepens a leader’s joy and understanding.
Lectio Divina. Meditating on God’s word through a reflective reading of Scripture shapes and creates space for silence and solitude.
Praying with others. Engaging in prayer with other people (spouse, family, staff, congregation, other leaders) strengthens life together and serves as a way for leaders to stay accountable to their commitment to pray.
Examples of How Leaders Help Others Grow and Mature in Prayer
And how can leaders help others to pray? Instruction and inspiration abounds for us as leaders in guiding others into developing the habit of prayer. Care should be taken to root the personal and corporate practices of prayer in a church’s particular spiritual tradition (LINK), while remaining open to grafting other practices of prayer that resonate with the theological vision of a church and its philosophy of ministry.
Leadership looks different for leaders based on who they are and what the people around them need. Most often, we develop other people in prayer through:
Modeling. Praying in the presence of others that demonstrates your vision and values for prayer.
Teaching. Instructing people through focused content that shapes their learning
Organizing. Gathering people in workshops or retreats that deepen practices of prayer.
Mentoring. Personally supporting and encouraging individuals to grow in prayer.
Creating. Developing a culture of prayer in the vision, practices and spaces of the organization.
The Next Right Thing
A leader's vision for prayer, coupled with practical daily habits and a commitment to helping others grow in prayer, is essential for effective spiritual leadership.
Take a moment to reflect on your own life and leadership in prayer. One practical way to do this is to spend five minutes in silence, listening for divine encouragement and instruction.
Where do you sense God’s delight in your practice and leadership of prayer?
What can you do today to take one more step into prayer for yourself and the people you lead?
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