A LEADER’S PRAYER LIFE

Years ago, one of my mentors shared a quote with me:

“We can either serve God with powerless effort or effortless power.”

This quote shaped my understanding of leadership, particularly the role of prayer. Our God has unlimited power—a God who is earth changing (Matthew 17:20), pours out blessings we cannot contain (Malachi 3:10), and does “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). One of the most vital ways we depend on our amazing God is through prayer.

As vital as prayer is, there are times when it becomes an afterthought. Reflecting on Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima’s book Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership, the neglect of prayer in a leader’s life can have alarming consequences.

McIntosh and Rima wrote that leaders who rely on our own strength become like a branch cut off from the vine, unable to bear fruit (John 15:5). They went on to elaborate that some Christian leaders have ambitions driven by a combination of personal dysfunctions and genuine desires to expand God’s kingdom. This blend may result in leaders relying on our own strength rather than approach God in prayer, ultimately leading to a loss of spiritual power and effectiveness.

Without prayer as a source of renewal, leaders can succumb to weight of our responsibilities, and to expectations, both perceived and actual. McIntosh and Rima states that this can cause leaders to overextend ourselves in ministry efforts and this overextension is known as burnout. Burnout is frequently a result of leaders attempting to meet our own needs through ministry, rather than relying on God’s renewal, strength and guidance through prayer.

Neglecting prayer leads to a lack of spiritual discernment, resulting in decisions based on human wisdom rather than God’s guidance. King Saul in 1 Samuel 13 is such an example. He did not wait for Samuel as instructed but went ahead with the burnt offering. He did things on his own terms instead of God’s. McIntosh and Rima wrote that when we make decisions based on personal desires or unresolved issues rather than seek God’s direction, it results in misdirection for both the leader and our followers.

WHY DOES PRAYER TEND TOWARD AN AFTERTHOUGHT FOR LEADERS?

Amidst various reasons, let me share three:

Pride: Pride has a subtle way of eroding our prayer life. Leaders often feel pressured to maintain appearances, and part of this involves trying to seem self-sufficient. Admitting a need for help—even to God in prayer—can sometimes feel like a weakness. Worse, leaders may begin to believe in our self-sufficiency and neglect prayer altogether. King Saul provides an example of pride in leadership. Saul’s true trust lay in himself, his reputation, and his plans. Even his repentance (1 Samuel 15:24) appears insincere, as his true motivation for showing remorse (1 Samuel 15:30) was revealed to be his concern about how he appeared to the people. In the same way, we may pray but not mean the words we prayed.

Pressure: The demands of leadership are relentless, and prayer may be relegated to the bottom of an overpacked schedule. Considering 1 Samuel 13 again, the demands of victory and the pressure of kingship led King Saul to take matters into his own hands. Pressures may cause us to seek a quick fix rather than a quiet, prayerful dependence (Psalm 46:10) on God.

Position: Being a leader is a privilege because God calls us into a position of influence. But sometimes our views of leadership position can be warped. Coupled with pride and pressure, prayer can sometimes be viewed a as a task or event tied to our leadership position. However, prayer ought to be our delight and desire to draw near to God because we are first and foremost a child of God.

WHEN LEADERS PRAY

Prayer causes humility to take root. Prayer is a declaration of dependence on God. It surfaces our pride and addresses it. Prayer requires leaders to admit our pride and acknowledge our need for God’s grace and power (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). In praying, leaders are reminded that we are not the ultimate authority, but God is. It allows us to embark on God’s work rooted in humility rather than allow pride to choke our leadership.

“Intentionally scheduled prayer times should overflow into daily conversations with God—acknowledging His presence in ordinary moments, seeking His wisdom in small decisions, and surrendering concerns throughout the day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This bridges the gap and demarcates the difference between “prayer time” vs. “prayerful life,” ensuring that our scheduled time with God transforms our every moment. “

Prayer causes personal growth to take place. Prayer nurtures the leader’s character. Be it the Apostle Paul and his prayer to God to remove the thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:17-10), or Solomon’s prayer request for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9), we witness the growth of these leaders.  As leaders bring our challenges and weaknesses before God, we grow in wisdom, peace, resilience, patience, and character as God speaks to us.

Prayer is our lifeline in times of stress, discouragement, and change, pulling leaders to safety when we feel adrift. Our Lord Jesus modelled this during His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Despite facing sorrow and death, prayer was His lifeline as He clung to the Father and continued the journey to the cross, aligned to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:36-46).

Prayer causes us to see beyond ourselves. Through prayer, leaders develop a God-centred perspective. Prayer was how our Lord Jesus selected His disciples (Luke 6:12-16). We may be tempted to skip prayer and choose those who are gifted. But Jesus prayed and saw beyond what man could see: that God could do His extraordinary work even through twelve ordinary men. Only through prayer, can we see beyond ourselves and beyond the limitations we face.

Prayer sets an example to those we lead. My late mentor inspired me to pray. He did not pray with eloquent words. He did not pray to impress – his prayers were genuine, filled with trust, worship, and hope in God, yet authentic and vulnerable. There was such a desperate dependence and deep intimacy with God. This is an example that stirs in me a desire to imitate him, just as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Leaders who pray authentically, inspire those they lead and creates a spiritual atmosphere that encourages others to desire the same.

DEEPENING OUR PRAYER LIFE

1. Intentionally Schedule Prayer Time

Rev Edmund Chan shared at a conference “Do not make time. Schedule time.” If we try to make time for prayer, something else will take its place. Treat prayer as a non-negotiable appointment in our daily lives. Schedule it in to ensure it remains a priority. When we prioritize prayer, we align ourselves with Jesus’ example—He often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16). Prayer is not merely a discipline but a divine invitation to rest in God’s presence. In today’s fast-paced world, distraction is one of the greatest hindrances to prayer. Notifications, urgent tasks, and ministry demands can easily overshadow time with God. Intentionally setting aside time for prayer slows our pace and interrupts the relentless cycle of demands and pressures in ministry. It creates space for God, allowing us to commune with Him, gain perspective beyond ourselves, and at times, recognize the pride-driven ways in which we handle situations. Prayer is not reactive but a proactive alignment with God’s will. By dedicating intentional time to prayer, we also acknowledge that ministry is not about what we can accomplish for God but about what He desires to accomplish in and through us. This sacred time becomes the foundation of a life fully surrendered to Him, fostering a humble, Spirit-led service rather than a prideful, self-driven striving.

2. Praying Unceasingly Beyond the Scheduled

Brother Lawrence’s book “The Practice of the Presence of God” beautifully captures the essence of a continual sense that God is always with us. Intentionally scheduled prayer times should overflow into daily conversations with God—acknowledging His presence in ordinary moments, seeking His wisdom in small decisions, and surrendering concerns throughout the day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This bridges the gap and demarcates the difference between “prayer time” vs. “prayerful life,” ensuring that our scheduled time with God transforms our every moment. I have encountered pastors who turned a car ride into a time of prayer and even engaging spiritual warfare prayers. There was once a group of us pastors were going for a visitation. And as we started sharing what we knew about the family, one pastor started worshipping in songs while another ignited a time of prayer. By the time we reached the family, the family informed us that the situation had miraculously changed! God answered our prayers and His work was completed! Prayer is not just during designated “spiritual event” but in all moments, from mundane chores to significant decisions. This, in turn, causes us to reflect on God’s love, grace, sovereignty, and other attributes throughout the day, which fosters intimacy and faith.

3. Allow Prayer Accountability To Break Pride And Isolation

Corporate prayer fosters accountability and encouragement. Prayer accountability acts as a safeguard against spiritual complacency, reminding us that we not only need one another but also need God. A prayer partner or small group allows us to share our burdens and intercede together, while also inspiring us to pray. Technology has made this easier; we can now use Zoom to pray together. However, beyond convenience, praying with others sharpens our faith, just as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

It is humbling when God uses our prayer partners to speak into our lives through their Spirit-led prayers, bringing about change in us. It is inspiring when we allow one another to hold us accountable in prayer, scheduling time to pray and prioritizing prayer. It is uplifting when we struggle to express our prayers—perhaps during painful times—and our prayer partners intercede on our behalf. I recall when my father passed away without accepting Christ. The grief and anguish were overwhelming. The temptation to isolate was strong, and pride could have prevented me from reaching out and being vulnerable. Yet, those in our prayer group continued to reach out to me and prayed for me. Every time they prayed, it broke down my defences and allowed God’s healing to begin. Listening to their prayers allowed me to see beyond myself and see God more clearly. Prayer accountability breaks pride and isolation. It allows others to intercede for us, especially in our struggles, but it requires humility. It reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ, not lone warriors.

4. Fasting And Praying Amplifies Our Prayer Focus

It is a way to express dependence on Him and seek clarity in our leadership decisions. John Piper wrote:

“The heart of it is longing. We are putting our stomach where our heart is to give added intensity and expressiveness to our ache for Jesus. We fast to express our longing or our ache for all the implications of Jesus’s power in the present moment that isn’t completely realized.”

Fasting shifts our focus from earthly concerns to eternal matters. The hunger pangs and discomfort become reminders to pray and draw near to God, intensifying our longing for Him to fill the void and guide us. It is also a physical expression of crying out to God, acknowledging that we cannot live on our own strength. Fasting serves as a humbling reminder that our bodies are weak and limited, and in that moment, we are choosing God’s provision and strength over all else. The early church fasted when appointing leaders (Acts 13:2-3). Fasting and praying helps leaders distinguish between personal ambition and God’s calling, ensuring that decisions align with His divine purpose. By submitting our desires and plans to God during fasting, we can expect His direction to become clearer. Fasting also allows God to refine our motives, attitudes, and behaviours. It creates space for repentance and renewal. When done with a prayer accountability group, fasting deepens the shared purpose, intensifying collective prayer and drawing the group closer together, aligning them deeper with God’s heart.

“Scripture expresses prayers that sometimes we are unable to find words for during painful, difficult moments. This not only aligns our prayers with God’s will but also deepens our understanding of His promises..”

5. Pray Using Scripture As Anchor 

Pray through the Bible, using God’s Word as a foundation for our prayers. Scripture expresses prayers that sometimes we are unable to find words for during painful, difficult moments. Scripture also directs us to God’s timely Word to pray and hold on to. This not only aligns our prayers with God’s will but also deepens our understanding of His promises. Just a few years ago, the Lord led me to a crossroads in my life. The timely word given to me was from Isaiah 42:9, where God promises to do a new thing. As we prayed through Isaiah 42:9 throughout the year, new things began to surface: my wife and I answered God’s call to be missionaries in Okinawa, and the church also entered a season where new things were happening. Amazingly, my wife and I are also in the process of registering a new ministry with Okinawa in mind. When God prompted us to pray using His Word, little did we know the amazing new things He would do! Now, as we witness His new work, we are both excited and convicted that this is the new season of our lives!

6. Pray Authentically from our depths and God Will Begin His Deep Work In Us

God desires our authentic prayers. When we pray authentically, it becomes a declaration of our dependence on Him, uprooting pride and planting roots of humility. It allows us to move our pride out of the way, giving God space to work. I remember a time when I was upset with a certain leader. My focus was solely on my frustration with him, until, during a time of prayer, I poured out my complaints authentically before God. In that moment, He convicted me that I was the problem, not the leader! As God spoke during my prayer time, He helped me see beyond myself and recognize that my pride had justified the wrong I had done, and that the other leader was in the right. This led to God nurturing my character and fostering unity between me and the leader, as I approached him to apologize and reconcile. Praying authentically is also a way of holding onto the lifeline God provides. After my father passed away, it was hard to lead while wrestling with God over my father’s passing. There were many times I was tempted to put on a strong front. But God brought me back to Psalm 46:1 during my prayer time, reminding me that I do not need to put up a strong front because He is my strong front. We should never hesitate to bring our doubts, fears, and frustrations to Him—He is big enough to handle them.

EFFORTLESS POWER

Leaders must not reduce prayer to an afterthought. Prayer is the engine from which all our plans originate and to which they are committed.

Imagine having a power drill but not plugging it into its power source. Sure, we could attempt to use the drill manually to create a hole by cranking it, but not only would this be powerless effort (and we look silly doing so), but it would also go against the tool’s intended purpose.

When plugged into its power source, the drill effortlessly accomplishes its task—effortless power.