“Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4).

We are too busy for prayer.  Although not too busy to spend hours on our phone.  But there’s a component of the pastor/leader/missionary’s job description that is often left out.  And that is prayer.  More than likely, that looks like corporate prayer.

Of course there is the obligatory prayer before meetings and prayer before meals and short prayers during the service.  But I”m talking about the leaders gathering together regularly to PRAY.  As in really pray.

It wasn’t just the ministry of the Word the leaders were called to.  It was also to prayer.

That’s exactly how the first missionary journey was launched.  It wasn’t some great idea that came from the apostles.  That would happen, but not until later (Acts 15).  But the first journey was birthed in corporate worship, fasting and prayer.

“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:1-3).  

It was corporate prayer.  Fasting.  Worshiping and seeking the Lord together.

Is that what is happening in the churches?  The staff and leaders putting everything aside, fasting together, worshiping and prayer?

Or is it a leftover?

The apostles turned responsibilities over to capable others.  The reason so that their time for ministry in prayer and the ministry in the Word was not short-changed.

“We will turn this responsibility over to them  and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3-4). 

I remember in the days when the book Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala was taking the world by storm.  He was the preacher and he was bored to be a part of his own church.  That is, until he started to make prayer central to the church.  And when he did, everything changed.  As it should.

I’m reading the book right now on the life of George Muller whose every bit of life was about prayer.  He started orphanages at God’s direction and they were sustained by prayer.

So I want to challenge all of us.  Myself included.  If you are in any form of Christian leadership ministry, corporate prayer is essential.  Not religious duty but the coming together in fasting, worship and earnestly seeking the Lord.

Let’s turn from our ways of depending solely upon our gifts, talents, programs and effort.  Let’s get back to where corporate prayer of leadership is central.

Can’t convince your other leaders?  Then let it begin with you.  Make way for it in your schedule.  And seek the Lord in prayer for the flock that you influence.