Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders
Dave Earley asks a question that, at first glance, appears rhetorical. Earley asks whether the listener believes that God can do things bigger, better, more long lasting, and more effectively than humans can.[1] The rhetorical nature of the question soon diminishes when the listener realizes that if the answer to the question is in the affirmative, then action results; otherwise the answer is misguided. Specifically, if one truly values the power of God’s aptitude, then the daily practice of prayer must follow. The Apostle Paul emphatically affirms Earley’s expected answer by stating that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). Accordingly, Paul’s practice of prayer recognizes the absolute necessity of God’s power and intervention in the lives of believers. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he prays that God will reveal Himself to his readers and that the eyes of their heart will be enlightened (Ephesians 1:17-18). In other words, the revelation and enlightenment necessary for spiritual growth originates from God and God alone, and without God’s intervention, spiritual eyes remain closed, and effectiveness in ministry is absent. If prayer is the activator of God’s movement, and God’s omnipotent movement is the determining factor of impact, then prayer has omnipotent impact.[2]
Three prayer habits of high-impact leaders that I currently apply or plan to apply are praying for those I serve, turning problems into prayer, and training others to pray for me. First, after reading the first chapter of Earley’s book on prayer, praying for those I serve took on a new meaning and necessity. Although somewhat embarrassing, as a spiritually gifted leader, I had not previously connected my prayer life directly to my leadership life. However, understanding prayer in light of leadership effectiveness and efficiency is highly motivational. Second, my perspective of turning problems into prayers has changed. At times, the health and wealth prayers of modern Christian society have resembled coveting more than praying. However, in accordance with Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians referenced earlier, when the focus of the problems remains primarily spiritually focused, then turning problems into prayers become not just palatable, but invigorating. Third, training others to pray for me is a concept completely absent from my life. Ironically, I have read numerous requests for prayer from Paul in his letters, but I have not applied his requests to my life. I am not sure if this was due to pride, ignorance, or both. Regardless, I have noticed the spiritual attacks from the enemy, especially during specific days of ministry work, but again, I had not previously connected the necessity for training others to pray for me to mitigate the attacks. It is obviously time for a change in my prayer life.
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[1]. Liberty University, “Presentation: Prayer – The Common Denominator of High Impact Leaders,” Liberty University Web site, Microsoft Silverlight file, 2:33, http://bb7.liberty.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1942950_ (accessed March 16, 2013).
[2]. David Earley, Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders (Chattanooga, TN: Living Ink, 2008), 6-8.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Liberty University. “Presentation: Prayer – The Common Denominator of High Impact Leaders.” Liberty University Web site. Microsoft Silverlight file. http://bb7.liberty.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1942950_ (accessed March 16, 2013)
- Earley, David. Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders. Chattanooga, TN: Living Ink, 2008.
