For Our Leaders….
Posted by Warren Enos on 01 May 2008 | Tagged as: General
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER MAY 1, 2008
Help me remember, God, that I can be reassigned, neutralized, or eliminated for a thousand different reasons at any moment.
My leadership is precarious, hanging by the silver thread of people’s trust in me. Countless things over which I have no control can break that thread, including your call elsewhere, and I will be gone.
But they need a leader, and when I am gone they must have others to turn to, others whom they trust, who can tell them the truth.
Show me those who can lead after me and better than me. Ruffle my spirit when they are near, quicken my heart when I feel their power, and open my eyes to see the special effect they have on people.
Protect me from preserving my own position or power or perspectives at the expense of future leaders. When they point out where I have not led well, shut my mouth and open my heart.
Help me to make it safe for them to try new things. Let me touch the spirit of those who possess the heart of a servant.
I want to know them and love them and watch their energy flow into others around them. I want to claim them for this work and pray them into my place. I will not have the privilege of choosing who will lead after me. Others will decide that. But I can help prepare leaders, and I can help the organization be ready for them.
Show me the ones who challenge me, the ones with more freedom and stronger faith than I have. Point out the ones who love people better than I do, who lead because they really care about people. Make the spiritual giants visible to me. Let me notice the ones who attract loyal, high quality friends.
Help me distinguish between the confident and the arrogant, between the humble and the hesitant. Bring out the strong ones who can carry their own burdens and also the burdens of others. Allow tough times that will yield success to those who refuse to give up. Help me advance the leaders of the future.
Oh, God of mercy, don’t let me stay in this job one day too long. And don’t let this all fall apart after I leave.
I will not last forever, God. Where are my replacements?
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Note: Written by Richard Kriegbaum when he was president of Fresno Pacific University and published in his 1998 book, “Leadership Prayers.”
Note: Delivered May 1st at the Silicon Valley Chapter board meeting by acting chaplain CDR Gordon Rollman, USN (RET).
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I attended the National Day of Prayer event on the South Steps of the State Capitol. Well organized and well attended as these things go.
On the West Steps - the most desirable location for a rally was a Mexican/Hispanic group with lots of state and local security personnel all about. Who knows how many were not citizens? May Day is traditionally a communist holiday and they were there with their literature. Thank goodness no oposing forces so everything remained peaceful in a very loud way. Those in prayer around the corner simply had to block it out.
When in Sacramento check out the activities mid-day at the Capitol. Always something interesting with one group or another conveying their message.
Good to have one group chatting with God!
Phelps