Historically, crisis served as a prompt for believers to pray. Why isn’t it happening this time?

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…

1 Timothy 2:1

One thing we learn about leadership in the Bible is that leaders lead in prayer. When it comes to approaching God for help with crisis situations, they’re the ones who go first. When everything is coming apart, they don’t wait for someone else to say, “Let’s pray about this.” Instead, they’re the initiators. They understand that the first act of leadership in any circumstance is to go to God on behalf of others and seek His help.

They’ve read the stories. They know their history. From Bible times forward, God-fearing leaders have always been the first to say, “Let’s pray about it.” And their prayers made a positive difference. God heard them. God answered. Things changed for the better.

Even when it seems like no one is interested in praying to God, leaders don’t hesitate. They don’t wait for consensus to build or for a movement to start trending before they pray. They just pray. They don’t need a special event, a program, or another prompt. They find all the prompting they need in Scripture.

Leaders lead in prayer.

To paraphrase what one well-known leader by the name of Paul said to a younger leader by the name of Timothy in just two words, it would be these:

First, pray.

To be clear, we’re not saying prayer is the only thing leaders do. But it should be the first thing they do. Why? Because our prayers engage God to do for us what only He can do. Otherwise, if we insist, He’ll let us handle things on our own.

Enough of that.

…our prayers engage God to do for us what only He can do. Otherwise, if we insist, He’ll let us handle things on our own.

Leader, in light of world events, may we be reminded that prayer always trumps politics. Our communities, our country, and our world need prayer leadership right now. They need leaders to lead in prayer.

When it comes to prayer, are you willing to go first? Or are you waiting on someone else?

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.