Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact LeadersSample

Cast Your Cares

Late in life, David had more than a problem. He had a painful, ugly, horrible, awful, massive, miserable mess. Unresolved family conflicts were boiling over and threatened to topple his rule. David’s own son, Absalom, conspired against his leadership. Rumors, false reports, and slander were running rampant through Jerusalem. As a father, David couldn’t fight his own son, but as the king, he couldn’t merely sit still, either.

What could he do?

David used one of his best leadership tools and displayed a great secret of his leadership—he turned the problem into prayer. Psalm 55 is that prayer. Here are some highlights:

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught. (vv. 1, 2)

Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. (vv. 11–14)

But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. (vv. 16–18)

Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. (v. 22)

“Call to God,” “Cry out,” “Cast all your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you.” That was David’s plan. Turn the problems into prayers. Cast the cares on the Lord. Let Him sustain you.