There is nothing greater than the power of prayers for the growth and health of your church. Your leadership matters, but God’s presence makes all the difference. It’s the combination of the two that brings incredible results.
It matters who prays. Your prayers as a leader truly matter for the church you lead. You carry a certain passion and heaven ordained responsibility that no one else does. Whether you are a small group leader or the senior pastor, your prayers over those you lead are vital.
There are certain people I love to hear pray. Not only am I inspired, but I learn their heart as a leader. You can hear the heart of the one who wrote this Psalm.
Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. 9 Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:8-12
“Hear my prayer” — “Listen to me.”
You can sense the plea of passion! Isn’t this at the core of how we pray? We want God to hear our prayers and we want to hear His response. This is the beauty of communion with God. It is the blessing of being in relationship with the Father. What an incredible gift to receive daily guidance and wisdom in order to lead!
“Look with favor”
We constantly seek the Lord’s favor, His presence and power for our leadership so that His Kingdom may be advanced! Praise and worship is carried in the acknowledgement of who God is as “Almighty,” and ‘Sun and Shield”.
“I would rather be a doorkeeper. . .”
You can hear the servant heart of gratitude. It’s so important that we remember our leadership was granted to us and that being a servant leader is a great privilege.
“No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
You can sense the trust and faith in this prayer.
“Blessed is the man who trusts you.”
We are required to live a life of integrity and trust in God!
The prayers of a church leader come in many forms:
- Prayers for Vision
- Prayers for Faith
- Prayers for Wisdom
- Prayers for Favor
- Prayers for Healing
- Prayers for Redemption
God hears all our prayers and responds! You and I can tap into the real power our church needs to take new territory! Prayer is not a new idea to you, but perhaps God is inviting you to lean in more!
