Leadership and Prayer

The other day I was reminded of a leadership lesson from my mom.  She told me that their church has an interim pastor and he had emailed her and my dad recently.  He said he had set aside a day a month to pray for people in the church and he would be praying for them on this day, this month.  He asked if there was anything he could pray about for them and if not he would still be lifting them up before God.  My mom said that in over 50 years of membership in their church this was the first time a pastor had told them he was praying for them.  It was so meaningful to her that not only would he do this, but that he would care to ask how he could pray. 

It reminded me of another ministry couple who used to save the Christmas cards they received, pick one out of the pile each morning, pray for them and write a note.  What a powerful ministry!

As God brings people to mind, or the Holy Spirit prompts us, my husband John and I pray for people in our community and often write a note, but I was struck by the power of commitment, intentionality, and discipline in the modeling of these other folks.  I’ve decided to make a list of leaders and put them on days of my calendar to pray for.  Are you praying for the people you lead?  Praying for those who lead you?  Do you do it regularly and systematically? 

-LAURA CROSBY serves as Director of Spiritual Formation for The Table at CPC

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