Lead Me, O Lord

Ten Prayers for Christians in General

but Especially for those aspiring for Leadership

Lead describes not an exalted status or unquestionable spiritual authority or superior value within a flock, but a sober calling to follow His Shepherd in such a way that others can “consider the outcome of [his] way of life, and imitate [his] faith,” [Jn 13:15; Eph 4:20; Phil 2:5; 1Pet 2:21; 1Jn 2:6] to speak to them “the word of God,” and to keep watch over their souls, as one “who will have to give an account” (Heb 13:7, 17).

And to know when to leave it in God’s hands [Lk 19:41-44; Acts 13:44-52].

I.        Call to Prayerful Dependence

Every believer [and especially those aspiring to leadership] are called to prayerful dependence each praying for one another. For who is adequate knowing that each of us is accountable to Jesus for how he models what it means to be a Christian; for how rightly he handles the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15), and for how the souls he’s influencing spiritually fare? Every sheep needs to pray for those God has placed over him [1Tim 2:1-8; Heb 13:17]. It has been said that “how well a pastor leads hangs on how well he follows the Great Shepherd’s lead,” but it is equally true that as the Jews demonstrated, some will never follow even the greatest leader – Jesus.

The following suggested areas of prayer are offered to help those interested in developing a prayer life.

1.                    Following: Lead me as my shepherd.

Ps 23:1–3 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Lord Jesus, I am a sheep of your pasture and one with influence by your appointment [Acts 20:28], therefore, I am all the more dependent on you to shepherd me, since apart from you I can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Help me keep looking to you for everything I need (Phil 4:19) and seeking to serve in the strength you supply (1 Pt 4:11). Lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Thank you for restoring my soul in right attitude and humility.

2.                   Wisdom: Lead me in your understanding.

Ps 119:34–35 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. [Pr 3:5-7]

Lord Jesus, The “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” and “those who practice it have a good understanding” (Ps 111:10). Therefore, I delight in your word: it is the source of understanding for how I may “walk in a manner . . . fully pleasing to” you (Col 1:10). Because I love you, grant me the understanding to wisely observe your commandments with my whole heart, (Jn 14:15). I meditate your words and keep them in my mouth that I might see how to keep them and make my way prosperous and with good success. [Joshua 1:8]

3.                   Teaching: Lead me by your Spirit.

Ps 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Lord Jesus, as a believer you’ve called me to teach others to observe all you’ve commanded (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9, Mt 28:19-20). I have nothing to teach that I have not received from you through others by your Spirit (1 Cor 4:7). Help me remember that I teach not just through my words, but through my attitude and actions as a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. (Jas 1:22). So lead me by your good Spirit and teach me to do your will. Direct my steps in ways that demonstrate your righteousness and compassion. Let me walk in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control [Gal 5:22-23].

4.                  Purity: Lead me in your righteousness.

Ps 139:23–24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting! … Ps 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness.

“Lord Jesus, lead me in your righteousness — don’t let me try to lead with mine.”

Lord Jesus, apart from your sovereign keeping, I am vulnerable to temptation and prone to wander so I ask you to lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one [Mt 6:13]. I stand on your promise to move me keep your decrees and precepts by Your Spirit [Eze 36:27]. You know the state of my heart and my inmost thoughts [Ps 19:12-14]. Do whatever you must to reveal any grievous way in me so that fellow believers “who hope in you” never have cause to “be put to shame through me” (Ps 69:6). Help me be an example being a 1^st responder to confess, repent, receive grace, and pursue holiness. Lead me in your righteousness — not mine.

5.                   Guidance: Lead me in your truth.

Ps 25:4–5 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

Lord Jesus, all your paths “are steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ps 25:10). But I often do not know the right path to take. I am utterly dependent upon you to lead me. Make me humble enough to remember that “in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Pro 11:14), patient enough not to move until you grant sufficient clarity, and bold enough to follow you when your guidance becomes sufficiently clear. Lead me in your truth to teach me.

6.                  Courage: Lead me because of my enemies.

Ps 27:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Lord Jesus, you showed wisdom, grace, and courage before your spiritual and human adversaries. Train me to show such courage. Teach me to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (Jas 1:19), to seek Your glory as He who sent me, and not my own (Jn 7:18). Teach me to truly love my enemies and seek their good (Lk 6:27) but remaining courageous enough to speak the truth in love even if it is unpopular and despised (Eph 4:15). Lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

7.                   Discouragement: Lead me with your light.

Ps 43:3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me.

Lord Jesus, when I am assaulted with discouragement because of opposition from adversaries; criticized by fellow believers, sorrow from tragedies within my church, difficulties within my family, my besetting weaknesses, or fatigue from long, strenuous labors, have mercy on me. Send out your light and your truth and let them lead me to once again “take courage” (Ps 27:14). Remind me you are working all things out [Rom 8:28].

8.                  Protection: Lead me to your refuge.

Ps 31:3 You are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.

Lord Jesus, you laid down your life for us to deliver us from your Father’s wrath (Jn 10:11; Ro 5:8–9). You warned that we would experience tribulation in the world, but not to fear because you have overcome the world (Jn 16:33). And you promise to “rescue [us] from every evil deed and bring [us] safely into [your] heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim 4:18). Protect me from being faithless. Protect me from discouraging others through my fear of what man can do to me more than I fear the destruction of shrinking back (Heb 10:39; Mt 10:28). You are my rock and fortress; when I am afraid, lead me to seek my only safe refuge in you.

9.                  Overwhelmed: Lead me when my heart is faint.

Ps 61:1–2 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Lord Jesus, I take comfort that I am surrounded by a great cloud of faith-filled, strong, courageous witnesses [Heb 12:1] like David who also felt overwhelmed by his circumstances and became faint of heart. I take comfort that you know my frame and remember that I am dust (Ps 103:14). At such times, “lift me high upon a rock” (Ps 27:5), above the fray, where I can rest and regain perspective. I take refuge in your word to “not let my heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” [Jn 14:1, 27] What you command to do we are equipped to do. I cast out all fear with its torment and remember your perfect love [1Jn 4:18]. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

10.                Spiritual Desertion: Lead me through my darkness.

Ps139:7–12 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning. and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Lord Jesus, when darkness has covered me, and I have lost sight of you; when I can’t discern your presence, and your voice seems like a distant echo; when a spiritual storm overtakes me, and I become disoriented and confused, remind me that saints through the ages have also endured such experiences. Remind me that even my darkness is not dark to you. And reveal yourself — not only to me, but also to my brothers and sisters — as the Shepherd who never loses a sheep (Lk 15:4), even in the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4). Even there, let your hand lead me until the storm passes and “light dawns in the darkness” (Ps 112:4). Help me grow strong in the faith as Abraham [Rom 4:20], remind me that I follow “the light of the world” and as I follow Jesus I won’t “walk in darkness but have the light of Life [Jn 8:12].