Leaders Time in Prayer

I recently was brought to the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. While I have read verse 21 many, many times, the Lord was telling me that this chapter was very significant and that I needed to dig in. Wow, did He open my eyes and bless me with multiple messages. One of the most convicting lessons that day was about Jesus’ significant time in prayer. 

Jesus’ example of prayer at this crucial point is huge. Remember, the disciples and Jesus have just finished what we now call “The Last Supper”. John’s gospel contains what is sometimes called the “high priestly prayer.” Jesus knows He has little time remaining before His death. Chapter 17 is a series of prayers that no doubt were very emotional for the disciples. (There will be more about the content of the chapter in an upcoming post.)

I am convinced that our leaders (YMCA and others) need to spend more time in prayer preceding important decisions, critical conversations and time in front of an audience. 

In examining the chapter, Jesus doesn’t start some new initiative at this late hour. He doesn’t address a large crowd one last time. He simply spent a significant amount of His last hours in prayer. 

We know that throughout His ministry He would seek time alone to pray. The disciples had returned from a ministry tour and told Jesus about all that had been going on. He suggested that they retreat to a quiet place to rest awhile. (Mark 6:31, NLT) Jesus knew His team needed rest and renewal in order to be effective in their ministry. Jesus also retreated into the wilderness in Luke 5:16. In Luke 6:12 He prayed all night prior to ‘calling the 12 apostles’. He taught us in Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Prayer before a big decision is important and it is to be done in private. So, there really should be significant leadership that no one sees. Could this be more important than what we do in public? 

The Apostle Paul understood this and speaks frequently about praying for those under his leadership. We can learn a lot from his prayers. Writer Cheryl Fletcher examined all of Paul’s prayers and made these four observations: 1) pray constantly - this is an ongoing conversation with our God, 2) pray with great affection - Paul likes those he leads, he is often speaking of his prayers of thanksgiving for them and he is genuinely grateful for them, 3) pray for an experience of love and greater Christ-likeness - Paul is praying over and over that those he leads will know the deep, wide and limitless love of Christ and that they will grow, becoming more Christ-like and finally 4) don’t be afraid to ask for prayer - Paul asks! 

Legendary YMCA leader John R Mott said in a speech in 1948 that the “discipline of prayer is essential.” He even recommended to the YMCA leaders gathered at that time “I need only to say that we must make prayer one of the primary objectives of this brotherhood.” 

It seems to me that prior to a big decision, a critical conversation or an appearance in front of an audience that today’s leader must find a way to spend more time in prayer. Perhaps it can be done “out of the office” in some sort of retreat, or maybe just uninterrupted time in an office alone, or with a chaplain or their own pastor. We should follow the example of Christ and make this a priority. 


Would you agree that many leaders are “too busy not to pray”? Are you willing to set aside more time in prayer as you lead? 

James 5:16b The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.



"His faithful love endures forever."

Until next time...


Chaplain Gray