Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact LeadersSample

A Balanced Variety of Prayers

David was shepherd, musician, giant killer, soldier, fugitive, Robin Hood figure, military general, king, songwriter, and worship leader. He was an incredible leader. But make no mistake—every good thing he accomplished flowed from the fact he was a man of prayer.

With most Bible characters and great leaders from church history we have record of just a few of their prayers. But with David we have a whole book full of his prayers. They were penned during the most significant and extreme times in his life. Few men have experienced loftier highs or deeper lows. What is significant for us to note is that in all occasions and locations, mountaintop or valley, David prayed.

Not only did David pray, but he prayed a variety of prayers. David prayed simple prayers and complex ones. He prayed tears. He asked questions. He made bold resolutions and prayed big prayers of faith. He also used balance. He prayed prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

God is a person. He has personality. We are people. We have personality. Prayer is expressing the many facets of our personality and our situation to the many aspects of God’s personality. One type of prayer will not do. We need to pray with all kinds of prayers (Ephesians 6:18).

As I have studied the prayer lives of dozens of high-impact spiritual leaders, I notice that as with David, prayer was a defining characteristic of their lives. I have also noticed that as did David, they used both a diversity of prayers and a balance of the primary types of prayer.