Training Men to Lead

“I will therefore that men (Gk. aner – male in distinction to female) pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands (hands unstained – a holy walk) without wrath and doubting (anger and disputing).” (I Tim. 2:8)

Pastors who seldom call others to lead in prayer are missing a tremendous opportunity to disciple men in the assembly. Others should be called upon, not only in Sunday school classes and other weekly Bible studies, but also in the morning worship service. I am not alone in thinking this. Warren Wiersbe, in his little book titled, In Praise of Plodders, says, “Some ministers pray too often in the Sunday service and they ought to invite others to share in this ministry.” Of course if this has not been his custom, he may have to orient the men of the congregation by informing them ahead of time that he would like for them to lead in prayer at the opening or closing of the service.

If the leader would call upon others to pray, he would find that they would begin to develop in the area of leadership. He should call upon men in general and not only those who are aspiring to lead. Of course, there will be occasions when the pastor may need to open or close the service in prayer, but he should not reserve that place entirely for himself.

Don’t be hesitant to call upon men to lead in prayer. It will stretch them. It will help them learn to pray aloud – to pray in public. It will encourage them to lead their own family in prayer before meals and at family devotions. They will become leaders in their families.

If pastors and elders would call upon other men to lead in prayer, the people would be taught that not only the trained clergy is able to address God in prayer in the worship service, but all spiritual men may do so. And visitors would see that the pastor is not the only spiritual man in the congregation.