November 20 2011, 7:06 am | Bill Elliff
Every pastor has his strengths. Some are better communicators than others. There are pastors who are very “pastoral” and others who are wonderfully administrative. I learned a long time ago that we should cultivate the areas where we’re gifted and staff to our weaknesses as much as possible.
But there is one place where we cannot afford to be weak. Every spiritual leader must be strong in prayer.
What we must do
Paul says we should be “devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). The word devotion literally means, “be strong towards.” Some people are strong towards work, others strong at sports. Some people know the characters of every movie and can quote the lines of their favorites. Sadly, some men are completely devoted to video games, spending mindless hours before a computer.
But if God has called you to the high task of leading others, you MUST be devoted to prayer. There is no excuse and no substitute. People should look at you and without a second thought say, “He is very, very devoted to prayer.”
What Prayer can do
Why should this be our recognizable strength? Because only prayer can do what God can do. Prayer is your singular path to bring God into the equation in every realm of your ministry. Prayer is the key to God’s presence and power resting on your life and your people. Prayer is always the precursor to revival. (Can you imagine God bringing revival to a prayerless people? Spiritual awakening can always be traced back to the mercy of God in response to some praying individual or group).
Prayerlessness is the worst sin because it is the highest indication of pride. Without prayer, I am saying, consciously or unconsciously, that I can handle life by myself. It speaks of a lack of trust and the vain work of human ability alone. How can we hope to know God’s agenda? Lead people where they need to go? Give them what God is saying? See God’s power resting on those we are called to lead? See real life change in us and others?
Our highest Prayer
Paul says we must “pray without ceasing.” I long for that continuity. It is my great prayer that those three words would someday be said of me. That people would remark, “Well, he is not this nor that, but he prays all the time. Our pastor walks in the presence of the Lord. He constantly breathes the oxygen of heaven…and he leads us there. And when he says something or leads us somewhere, we know it is initiated by God.”
If you are not good at prayer, cry out. Pray until you are a better intercessor. Get around people who pray. Find a regular weekly prayer partner and learn together. Call together a dozen pastors and work diligently at your most important task. Read books on prayer. Study and memorize the prayers of the Scripture. If you are desperate for prayer, God will exponentially help you in your pursuit.
Prayerlessness is the one weakness we cannot afford.
Order Bill's books here including "The Child of 10,000 Names" and "WhiteWater".