Leader's Influence Chapter 7

Spiritual Leaders Pray

One of the most important aspects of spiritual leadership is prayer. Some leaders view prayer as a futile activity. They would rather be doing than praying. Prayer is the most important aspect of spiritual leadership. Here are 6 reasons why prayer is important:

Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from God.

Prayer is how a spiritual leader abides in Christ. Jesus said “apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5 When a leader tries to lead apart from Christ there results will be temporary at best. When a leader devoted time to prayer, they will find that the results they get far exceed what they anticipate.

2. Prayer fills the leader with the Holy Spirit.

Only God can fill a person with His Spirit. This comes from fervent prayer concentrating on the will of the Father. Jer. 29:13‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

3. God’s Wisdom comes from prayer

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

but just as it is written,

“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,

AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,

ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

10 aFor to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,

13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.

16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

4. God is all powerful

God can do much more than we can ever imagine. Every leader has limitations, but God does not. It is when a leader faces a situation that goes beyond his ability that they discover the importance of the power of God. Share Nancy Reagan Story

5. Prayer reduces Stress

Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda (Leaders Pray)

cast “all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7

Leaders can take their stress to the Lord who can adequately handle it.

6. Revelation of God’s will

Jesus reveals His will, when you pray. This is what Jesus did with the Father when He was on the earth.

Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda Leaders Pray

More than any other single thing leaders do, it is their prayer life that determines their effectiveness. If leaders spend adequate time communing with God, the people they encounter that day will notice the difference. When pastors preach sermons, their people can soon tell whether or not they are speaking out of the overflow of their relationship with God or whether they are merely preaching a sermon. When leaders give counsel to others, the wisdom of their words will reveal whether or not they are filled with the Spirit. The holiness of leaders’ lives is a direct reflection of the time they are spending with holy God. When spiritual leaders take their task of leading people seriously, they will be driven to their knees in prayer. They will recognize the magnitude of their responsibility to lead people.

Leaders Work Hard

A good leader works as hard and most of the time harder than those they lead. They show up earlier and stay later. They do what they say they are going to do. If their is sacrifice required they are the first to sacrifice. For example if their has to be a company wide pay reduction, they are the first and have the most reduction. Leaders are always professional in appearance and performance. Leaders have good work ethic and give their all to the Job.

Good leaders communicate well

Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda Leaders Communicate

The key to successful communication is clarity, not verbosity

Good communicators know their audience, culture, and assignments. They are able to communicate in such a way that they understand their audience because of their and influence them to join in God’s assignments. This requires understanding God’s word and being able to explain it in a way that makes sense. Jesus used parables to communicate.

Spiritual Leaders Serve

Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda Leaders Serve

First, servant leadership flows from the love leaders have for their people. Scripture says, “having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda Leaders Serve

The second requirement for servant leadership, therefore, is self-knowledge. Leaders must know and accept who they are. Insecure people worry about how other people perceive them. They fear that serving others may cause people to take advantage of them or to think less of them. People who are secure in their identity are not enslaved by the opinions or affirmation of others. They are free to serve.

Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda Leaders Serve

Third, Christlike servant leaders must understand whom they serve. On the topic of servant leadership, there is some confusion about whom leaders actually serve. Spiritual leaders are not their people’s servants; they are God’s.

A Spiritual Leader Maintains A Positive Attitude

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who [r]wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will [s]mount up with [t]wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Is. 40:28-31

A spiritual leader can have a positive attitude knowing that God is their source of strength. They can also know that His will is going to be accomplished. God will give the spiritual leader everything they need to fulfill His purpose!