Leadership Prayers Like JesusНамуна

Around the world, many leaders are feeling overwhelmed, unsteady, and at a loss for what is next. The past few years have been some of the most difficult leadership seasons of our lifetime. It's been a season affected by war, recession, inflation, and massive social changes.

It is no wonder that so many leaders are feeling anxious or uncertain about the future.

As Christian leaders, we take heart, knowing we are not alone. One of the most famous prayers in the life of Jesus is in John 17. John records Jesus's prayer in the final moments leading up to His arrest and later crucifixion. John gives us insight into the heart and mind of our Savior during his most difficult moments.

Reflect for a moment.

As a leader, when is the last time in prayer that you confessed God's provision, refined your vision, or presented your mission?

It's in Jesus's high priestly prayer that we see an example of Jesus's leadership prayer.

Jesus begins His prayer with a clear acknowledgment of God, the Father. In verse 2, Jesus recognizes God's provision for His leadership. He professes His authority as a gift from the Father. Jesus then connects that provision to the God-given vision for His own leadership. Jesus demonstrates how God's provisions inform us of His vision for our leadership.

Besides praying over provision, Jesus knew the vision for His leadership. Luke 19:10 is often cited as a summation of Jesus's mission and vision.

Jesus's leadership vision: the lost saved.

Jesus's leadership mission: to seek the lost.

Yet, in these verses, we see Jesus expand on this foundational vision. He restates the vision as giving eternal life rooted in knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He sent. Jesus demonstrates the reality of an internalized vision. Jesus's love and affection for the lost is a clear passion and prayer focus throughout His life. (Look at Luke 15).

As Christian leaders, we must pray for the completion of our God-given vision.

Finally, we see Jesus brought His mission to the Father in prayer. If the vision is our mental picture of a preferable future, our mission is what we're doing to bring it about. In verses 6-8, we see some of Jesus's mission. Jesus sought to manifest the Father's name (vs. 6), to make known the Father's words (vs. 8), and to show He came from the Father (vs. 8). Jesus's leadership prayers included specific mention of what He was doing in light of the vision.

As leaders, our prayers should lay the mission at His feet and invite Him to direct our steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Action Steps:

Confess God's provisions for your leadership. Praise Him for those provisions, and ask Him how you should grow in them. How do His provisions refine your understanding of His vision for your leadership?

Pray for the vision God has given you. If you are not yet sure of His vision for your life/leadership, pray to receive it. Ask for open eyes to see the needs around you and how He's gifted you to meet them.

Seek His direction in your current actions and your next steps. Like Jesus, we must lay each aspect of the mission at the feet of the Father. Ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5) in living out your mission.