Father – help us stop!” His words caught me off guard as my good friend and fellow Maverick colleague, Abby Xerri, and I prayed together. Reflecting on the pace of life and business, it was clear we needed to stop and pray.
We often come into the New Year with an uneasy momentum. In some ways, not really stopping to breathe or ponder as we move from one year to the next. In other ways, possibly afraid that not much will change. Will this next year be the same as the last?
Sound familiar?
One of the disciplines of the Deliberate Leader is to recognize the signs in the inner person indicating when you need to STOP; to take time to pull away and have your soul replenished. It can be very easy to ignore the signs, to drive on and tackle the proverbial never-ending list that is in front of you as you launch into the New Year.
Choose to slow down and STOP. Allow the Holy Spirit to remind you and revive you as you launch into 2017.
With that in mind, I offer a leadership prayer from Psalm 19.
A 2017 Deliberate Leader’s Prayer
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display His craftsmanship.
Father, I am astounded again by the beauty of the heavens – Your heavens. You made them. I did not! You are the ultimate Craftsman.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make Him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.[a]
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after His wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its’ heat.
Father, I humble myself before You, the Creator of all that I see, hear and feel. Teach me to “hear” the message of You and Your work as I see the heavens, the skies and the sun.
Just like the sun and its’ heat, absolutely nothing is hidden from You! Forgive me for the times I have operated independent of You; foolishly thinking that I can live life to the full, all on my own. Help me to embrace Your penetrating “heat”, even though I may not like it sometimes!
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
Father, your perfect word revives me. You revive my will, my thoughts and feelings, my body.
You REVIVE me!
Apart from You, I am so very simple. In You and Your way I learn wisdom. When I truly read Your truths, I know that You are right. In fact, Your word brings such joy to my heart. You provide clarity in a world of confusion. You give insight to live well, right in the midst of so much swirling chaos.
Father, You are pure. I worship You.
I trust You and the fairness of Your instruction. You are fair. You bring truth when I try to diminish You, and what is true. Forgive me.
I declare clearly my desire for You and Your word. At the same time, I also know that this is not always the case. Forgive me for the times when I only bring apathy and discontent in Your presence. For that attitude, I am so very sorry.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
Father, this year may I grow deeper and stronger in my respect, wonder and awe of You and Your word. May my spirit resonate well with Yours as You remind me, and at times warn me, of changes needed in me and through me.
Help me!
I declare my need for cleansing by You. Please wash me, protect me, free me! These are not possible apart from You.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to You,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Father, knowing full well that I will make mistakes, I do long for my words and my musings to be pleasing to You.
Help me lead my family, and the business you have entrusted to me, well. Help me honour You; my Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Father, I commit to you this year of 2017.
For You and You alone!
A Deliberate Application:
- Read through Psalm 19 on your own or with a friend.
- Take the time to write your own responsive prayer.
- Who will you share this with?
