40 CityLight.org
june 2012
SEVEN REASONS PASTORS
STRUGGLE TO LEAD THEIR
CHURCH IN PRAYER
By Daniel Henderson
F
requently, as I speak in conferences
and seminars, I am approached by an
attendee with a pertinent question. Each
inquirer comments up front on their deep
appreciation for their pastor. They typically
extol their pastor's preaching, administra-
tive skills, shepherding focus, and personal-
ity. Then they ask, "Why doesn't he lead our
church in prayer?"
Understanding the Reasons
Praying for New Resolve
In churches across the country today, con-
gregations are eager for a prayer movement.
They look to their pastors for consistent ex-
ample and passionate leadership. From my
personal struggles as a pastor for almost 30
years and through interactions with many
peers, I have discovered seven basic reasons
why pastors are reluctant to lead the way to a
dynamic prayer ministry in the local church:
I. Many grew up in a prayerless
church environment
A Brazilian proverb states, "The heart can-
not taste what the eyes have not seen." To-
day's pastors often lack first-hand experi-
ence of what a dynamic prayer-energized
church looks like.
Many pastors recall sparsely-attended
prayer meetingsthey've attended in the past.
These prayer meetings involved prolonged
grocery-lists of physical needs and personal
woes. A handful of faithful saints attended
each week. However, a church where the
majority of the people gather in dynamic,
worship-based prayer does not register in
the experience of most pastors' radar screens.
II. Most were trained in a
prayerless educational process
I received seven years of formal undergrad-
uate and graduate-level theological educa-
tion. While grateful for all the fine classes
and grand truths, I never had a professor or
pastor personally influence me in the area
of prayer. I heard great sermons on prayer
and studied theological truths about prayer,
but no one took me aside and taught me to
pray by praying with me on a regular basis.
Today, church leaders commonly receive
many years of instruction about the min-
istry of the word while practical mentoring
on the prayer ministry in the local church
is neglected completely.
III. Some are not sure how to
lead effective & life-changing
prayer experiences
This lack of experience and training causes
pastors to feel unsure and inadequate about the
nature of a truly life-giving prayer experience.
Since most were not trained in the dynamics
of biblical, balanced prayer times, they struggle
to lead prayer gatherings that are transforma-
tional and attractive to the congregation.
IV. All minister in a prayerless,
success-oriented culture
In many churches, "man of prayer" no lon-
ger ranks high on the list of desirable lead-
ership traits for the local church. Instead,
"These seven observations are not intended as cause
for condemnation but reasons for understanding
and support... It is hard to be a real intercessor and
a critic at the same time."