The Spirit of Prayer in Leadership
” Setting the Standard by the Spirit of Prayer in Leadership. ”
In the scriptural account of Numbers 20, Miriam dies (Numbers 20:1-12). This had to be tough on Moses, Israel lacked resources (verse 2). The people were not happy with their leaders (verses 3-5). Moses and Aaron enter into a prayer shift after this and show up and speak to them (verse 6). However, Moses misrepresents God’s voice, mind, and image for leadership (verse 10).
As we proceed with the story, God rebukes and corrects Moses (verse 12) because ministered to the people with contempt. Moses was God’s standard for the people to judge their walk by: handling problem relationships; approaching God while they are hurting; how to cope with unappreciative people; setting the standard for fearing; etc. It was so serious that his actions caused him not to see the Promised Land.
A leader’s actions must always reflect three important leadership principles:
Reflecting God’s Spirit and ways in a situation
Reflecting God’s Word in a situation
Reflecting your pastor (Godly authority) and fellowship guidelines and standards in dealing with the saints.
Otherwise, you are smiting the rock of Moses with the wrong attitude in leadership. So how do we avoid smiting the rock with contempt? How do we reflect leadership properly? “Now I know you fear me” (Genesis 22:12). Our consecration of worship, prayer, and fasting must be mixed with our fear of God. This requires transparency with your attitude towards God and men. It requires affection displayed towards God and men. This requires putting nothing before your love and integrity with God, including your “Isaacs” like money, possessions, children; a relationship; etc.
Like Moses, we face death, a lack of resources, and some saints being unhappy with our decision-making. But let us go to Jehovah Jireh right now so that when we hit our faces and rise after worship, we will show God’s standard for leadership. II Timothy 2:24-26 says, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
Pray:
that our personal agendas do not hurt or interfere with God’s Kingdom business.
that we do not cause the saints to stumble with our selfishness.
that our wounds do not cause people to see Jesus in an unhealthy way.
that we show the Saints God’s standard and the Pastor’s standards for church sacrificial living and giving.
that we do not misrepresent our leadership with our own philosophical agendas.
Pastor Don Rogers
The Pentecostals of Wisconsin
WNOP North Central Regional Prayer Coordinator
Info from: Prayer Connect – World Network of Prayer – floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com
