One of the most powerful experiences of my life occurred when someone challenged me to prioritize prayer in my life. When I embraced prayer in my college years, not only did it change my life, it also became formative for everything in my life.
To this very day, beginning my day with God in His Word and having an ongoing conversation with Him has been the greatest key to my entire life and ministry. A leader’s influence will not ever go beyond their personal walk with God.
Prayer is Built On the Word of God
Prayer is built on the Word of God. This prevents us from getting out of balance in our lives and leadership. Sometimes people think those who practice prayer are intellectually inferior. Great prayer warriors base their praying on God’s Word, the surest truth in this world.
The most highly intelligent and influential leaders should be the greatest prayer warriors on the face of the earth. They should realize the Bible is God’s Word and authority on all things, praying with deep belief in God and His power. Life and leadership must be led by the power of the Holy Spirit and this will never occur if their prayer life is not built upon the Word of God.
A leader’s job, calling, or leadership skills will never be more important than their personal relationship with God. When a leader has the Word of the Lord in their heart, people know it.
Prayer Should Be Continual
If you do not have a plan to pray, you will not pray consistently. You will be all over the place in your praying, even though your intentions are good.
I use my iPad to help me establish an ongoing plan to pray daily. This helps me stay on target in my prayer and permits me the needed flexibility to ensure the ongoing plan is relevant and up to date.
My plan to pray is seasonal. I am always changing it along the way, but when I sense a chapter has closed and God wants to create a new chapter in my life and ministry, then I begin a new plan.
What is your plan to pray? Whatever your plan to pray is, just have one. Stop and take the time to prepare a plan. Before you enter your daily schedule with others, be sure you have already been with God in His Word and in His presence via prayer. Then, as you walk through your day as a leader, pray throughout it.
The power of a leader will never be any greater than their personal relationship with God and prayer life.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas for 38 years, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and author of Forward: Seven Distinguishing Marks for Future Leaders.
