How Prayer Can Take Your Leadership to the Next Level

Posted on Apr 13, 2021 Topic : Men's Christian Living, Women's Christian Living

Good leaders are always on the lookout for ways to become better at what they do. They know that the success of their business, organization, or ministry can rise or fall on their ability to lead well. They recognize there is a direct relationship between exercising great leadership and getting great results.

This explains why so many leaders devote themselves to learning the secrets and strategies to effective leadership. If a technique has proven to be successful, they are eager to put it to use, hoping for good outcomes to follow.

Many leaders are willing to pay a good price for help. For example, the most prestigious management consulting firm in the world, McKinsey & Company, has more than 30,000 employees, 130-plus offices around the globe, and does $10.5 billion in revenue annually. Hiring an associate consultant from this firm can run $5,500 a day. Or you can get input from a senior partner for $16,000 per day.[1] While those prices are for top-caliber advisors, the fact McKinsey is so large reveals there are many leaders who are willing to pay for the kind of guidance they hope will lead to success.

For the leader who also happens to be a Christian, however, there is one tool that can make a greater difference than any other at his or her disposal—even a high-priced consultant. That tool is prayer.

Before we look at why this is the case, let’s set aside what we’re not talking about here: God is not going to reveal to you the color you should use on the packaging for your hottest-selling product. He’s not a vending machine who will dispense custom plans for how to create the best organizational chart for your business or ministry. He’s not concerned about the seven tips to doubling your customer response or the size of your church.

So why is prayer beneficial to you as a leader, whether in a secular or spiritual work environment? What makes this resource more valuable than any other? For the answers, let’s look at what we gain from prayer.

Divine wisdom versus human wisdom. Leading involves making decisions—constantly. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…and it will be given to him.” God alone is the source of perfect wisdom. Proverbs 3:5 urges us not to lean on our own understanding. When it comes to making decisions—and leaders make plenty of tough ones—wouldn’t you rather pray and lean on God’s wisdom instead of your own?

Peace versus anxiety. Leaders face many challenges beyond their control—challenges that can bring unending stress and worries. Philippians 4:6-7 says to “be anxious for nothing” and to pray in everything—and “the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds.” Wouldn’t you rather pray and trust God with the tough hurdles you face than attempt to take them on all alone?

Confidence versus doubt. When you lead with certainty, you will inspire others. In contrast, uncertainty makes people hesitant and confused. In Philippians 4:13, Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul knew that with Christ at his side, he could face anything—no matter what the circumstance. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you.” Wouldn’t you rather pray for divine strength that leads to confidence than struggle onward in fear?

Near to God versus far from God. Psalm 145:18 says, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him.” James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” We experience our greatest intimacy with God when we pray to Him. Wouldn’t you rather pray and stay near God in all you do as a leader, rather than risk the consequences of becoming distant from Him?

Seeing others through God’s eyes versus through your own. In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul said, “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” When you pray for the people you work with, you will grow to see them from God’s perspective rather than your own. Your interactions with them will be marked by a Christlike love that is other-focused rather than a human love that is self-focused. Which kind of love do you think will make you a better leader?

Are you seeing a pattern here? Prayer keeps you on track to exercise God-centered leadership and not self-centered. It’s the difference between leading in God’s power and your own. Which do you think will make you more effective?

The state of your prayer relationship with God will have an enormous impact on the kind of leader you are. No amount of strategies, tactics, or consulting can empower you the way God can. Prayer has everything to do with who you are internally as a leader. And that, in turn, will have a positive influence on what you do externally as a leader.

Because of his commitment to prayer, Daniel served effectively as one of the most trusted advisors to the king of Babylon as he ruled over a large and secular empire. Because of prayer, Nehemiah was able to oversee a massive construction project successfully in spite of great opposition. And prayer is what Jesus committed to the entire night before He chose His small band of “employees” who would go on to begin a movement that would change the world.

Prayer is the most valuable resource you have as a leader—especially if you want to be the kind who makes a real and lasting difference.

[1] Edmund Tadros and Tom McIlroy, “Revealed: McKinsey partners charge $16,000 a day (before discounts),” Financial Review, August 9, 2019, https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/revealed-mckinsey-partners-charge-16-000-a-day-before-discounts-20190808-p52f2a.