The Importance of Prayer

What do you have to do today?
Most of us immediately think of a lengthy task list, but author and ministry leader Francis Chan challenges our view of what’s important and urgent. His most important priority? Prayer, not productivity. He explains prayer as “the only thing I have to do.”
Tim Keller said it this way: “Prayerlessness will kill you. It won’t just hurt you; it’ll kill you.”

There’s biblical precedent for this conviction, especially for leaders. In Jesus' life, prayer was the foundation of His ministry and leadership. Despite, or perhaps because of, the demands of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He frequently slipped away to pray (Luke 5:16). He also taught the importance of prayer, telling His disciples that they should always pray (Luke 18:1). The disciples said no to other tasks in order to prioritize prayer as they established the early Church (Acts 6:3–4).

Most Christian leaders today affirm prayer matters—yet research reveals many struggle with lackluster prayer lives. One study showed that only 16 percent of pastors are very satisfied with their prayer lives, highlighting the gap between where we are and where we want to be in prayer.

What would happen if we took Jesus at His word when He said, “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)? As demands on our time increase, most of us spend less time in prayer. Yet the emphasis Jesus placed on prayer throughout His ministry invites us to humbly pursue prayer as a first priority, not a last resort.

If Christian leaders follow Jesus’ example and develop dynamic prayer lives, instilling this passion in those they mentor and lead, history and Scripture tell us that neighborhoods and nations will change for generations. Jesus led with prayer, and we can learn to do the same. The whole of heaven eagerly waits for us to get on our knees.
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Application:

We cannot become leaders of prayer without first becoming people of prayer. TO learn to prioritize prayer, grow in prayer, or begin multiplying prayer among those you lead, we encourage you to take the application steps below and utilize the free prayer tools at www.leadwithprayer.com.

To prioritize prayer: Reflect on Jesus’ words that without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

To grow in prayer: Commit to saying “no” to something in your daily routine to create additional margin for prayer.

To multiply prayer: Share your commitment to prayer with those you lead. Invite them to join you in committing to prayer as our first priority.