FOLLOW THE LEADERThe foundation on which all ministry and leadership is built
is your prayer life. Your leadership is never greater than your
prayers. Successful leadership requires much more than prayer, but
no leadership can ever be ultimately successful apart from much
prayer...Other things being equal, a praying leader with a praying
people will be blessed of God.^7As Duewel points out, leadership is based on more than prayer – but it is
baseless without prayer! A secular leader can successfully lead without prayer.
A spiritual leader cannot. He leads through prayer.
The late Andrew Murray asked the poignant question: “What is the reason
why many thousands of Christian workers in the world have not a greater
influence?” His answer:
Nothing save this – the prayerlessness of their service...It is
nothing but the sin of prayerlessness which is the cause of
the lack of a powerful spiritual life.^9“ You will never be a greater
leader than your prayers.”^8
(Wesley Duewel)Many studies indicate that most leaders are often long on purpose – but
short on prayer! As Duewel points out: “Every leader gives lip service
to prayer. However, many have a deplorably ineffective prayer life.”^10 Over a
century ago, Bishop J.C. Ryle made the same observation: “I have come
to the conclusion that the vast majority of professing Christians do not pray at
all.”^11 Ouch!
Many of us as Christian leaders – myself included – do not spend nearly
enough time in prayer. As a result, much of our “religious activity” lacks
God’s power and anointing. As Paul said: “It has the form of godliness, but
lacks the power” (II Tim. 3:5). Many of us know from painful experience
that without prayer there is no power! We also know that purpose that is
not born out of prayer is usually polluted with pride, self, carnality, ego,
greed. Many of us as leaders go to God to ask for His blessings upon
our plans and our purposes – rather than first of all going to Him through
prayer to ask for His. Fred Smith points this folly out when he writes: