Wisdom - Leadership Prayers

Wisdom

Teach me, God, so I have some wisdom to share.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5, NIV

There is no more precious gift for a leader than the wisdom that can apply relevant values to give meaning to our knowledge and experience.

WHATEVER you teach me is all I have for others, God. I must be wise if we are to succeed, and you know I am not naturally wise. Too often I am a fool, tricked so easily by my own personality, deceived by my ignorance, blinded by my proud determination to win, and misled by my logic. Sometimes my spirit is asleep or busy elsewhere or just encrusted with all my own exquisite rationalizing. I need your wisdom.

If I were brilliant, if I had the knowledge and strengths that I admire in so many other people, if I were a spiritual giant, I would simply ask you to help me do my best. But my best is not good enough. I do not know enough, and I cannot see clearly enough. I am your child, and I want to learn, but unless your Spirit teaches me, I have little to offer. I need your wisdom.

What you give me determines the success or failure of those I lead. They deserve some word, they need a message. How else will they understand our situation and how it informs our direction and points to a worthy purpose? I have studied and analyzed all I can. Teach me to go beyond the facts and feelings. My spirit waits quietly. I need your wisdom.


I do not know enough, and I cannot see clearly enough.


Teach me, God, so I have some wisdom to share.

Reflections

It happened again and again: the impasse, dialogue in circles, limited information and reasoning. In my early years, I thought all I needed was the best available information and some clear logic to get the best decision. Every good leader I have ever worked with wanted logic and information for important decisions.

But as I watched leaders who were consistently effective, I began to notice something else. Leading well eventually required more than the available information—something that gave it practical meaning. The best leaders could sense when that point had been reached. Instead of expecting to always have the final answer themselves, or otherwise forcing the issue to closure, they almost always paused—a moment behind closed eyes, a call for prayer, a break in the meeting, a bit of humor, seeking words from someone who had been silent. The list of methods was endless.

These leaders did not seem burdened or concerned when they exhausted knowledge and reason. The ragged edge that scared others seemed actually to assure them and guide them to wisdom. The best leaders knew after pausing who the wise person was for that moment— themselves or someone else. Such wisdom is a gift of the Spirit, and it is not lavished on leaders to cover their incompetence or indolence. This wisdom is the gracious contribution of God to those who truly lead in order to serve. It is an answer to sincere prayer.

From the Book:

Leadership Prayers cover image


Leadership Prayers
By Richard Kriegbaum
Tyndale
$7.99

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