Abraham Lincoln said, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”
These wise words from one of America’s most tested political leaders capture how critical prayer is in the life of any leader. Whether you are running a huge, multi-national corporation, or just a small household, achieving a deep prayer life cultivates virtue and aids in decision-making.
The fruits of prayer for leaders
Setting aside time every day to speak with Jesus, Mary, and the saints cultivates both self-awareness and practical virtues like humility, wisdom and gratitude.
For example, the contemplative, Ignatian style of prayer that involves an examination of conscience and a colloquy with God can result in deep self-knowledge. In my own experience of simultaneously self-searching and engaging in conversational forms of prayer with God, my own motivations and inclinations are uncovered. Why did a comment bother me? Why am I really making this decision? What fears are holding me back? Once honest answers to such questions come to light, I can then ask God for His help.
For those in leadership, the ability to develop and maintain self-awareness of one’s motivations is critical. Jesus is always ready to meet us in prayer, and He provides the grace we need to grow in personal excellence, and in turn, to lead others authentically.
Discerning God’s Will
Taking the time to sit in stillness with God also provides the opportunity to hear His voice and discern His will in all things. Leaders are often high-stakes decision-makers who face pressure from others to act quickly. Instead of responding to that pressure, the habit of engaging with God in prayer sets the foundation for more thoughtful decision-making in line with God’s will as opposed to the world’s will. It helps a leader to be centered enough to hear God’s voice, rather than seeking the quick or easy way out.
This centering also creates a sense of stability for the leader’s team. Team members often look to the leader as being a rock, not easily moved in the heat of the moment. Possessing a deep interior prayer life instills a sense of certainty and peace that will pervade all aspects of such a leader’s life.
Prayer also teaches us how to forgive. A prayer life focused on a deep and true understanding of God’s mercy for us, His children, means we are better able to show that mercy to others. It also teaches us gratitude for all we have and humility as we recognize our own shortcomings.
The best prayers for leaders
What are the best prayers for leaders? Here are few that have personally enhanced both my spiritual and leadership journeys. These prayers caution against pride while calling us to higher ideals than power and fame.
The first is the Suscipe prayer of St. Ignatius. “Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty…everything is yours, do with it what you will.” This is critical for a leader to understand: the power, the honor and wealth the leader enjoys – in other words, the perks that may come along with leadership – are temporary. Nothing you or I have is ours; it all belongs to God. If we can internalize this, our daily challenges become much easier.
Similarly, the Litany of Humility is a powerful prayer. “From the desire to be esteemed, loved, honored and praised, deliver me, O Jesus.” Be careful, though! It’s fairly well known that those who ask for humility quickly receive it through one humiliating circumstance or another. Of course, you would go on to pray, “But from the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.”
The prayer of Saint Francis is beautiful no matter your state in life. While St. Francis himself did not write the prayer, it reflects his spirituality, a spirituality beneficial to any leader.
Recall that earthly authority is bestowed. But it is also temporal and fleeting. Rather than using one’s position for gain and conquering, St. Francis instead encourages us to see ourselves as conduits of God’s peace, love, light, and understanding. A leader should use his or her influence for good.
Remember Mary Our Mother
And let us not neglect our Mother! Both the Rosary and the Memorare are beautiful prayers for calling on Our Lady’s aid.
The Rosary instills a sense of groundedness in the details of daily life. Its mysteries recall births and deaths, joys and agony, and help us remember that Jesus and Mary were humans, too, and never tire of hearing our prayers. The unfailing Memorare is good for those critical moments when you just need help! The Blessed Mother will never let us down.
Saints who were leaders
The Catholic Church is full of emperors, kings and other leaders who became saints. Call on them. Ask them that through their intercession you, too, may become a saint.
St. Joan of Arc led an ordinary life in a French village until one day she heard the voice of God and several saints calling her to greatness. From there, she did the unthinkable. She lead an army of men in the Hundred Years’ War.
CS Writer/Managing Editor Peter Darcy even wrote a recently released Kindle book on St. Joan that spells out her leadership virtues.
St. Louis IX, King of France, was known for his personal holiness and care for the poor.
St. Thomas More was a lawyer, statesman, councilor to the King of England, and a martyr for the faith. See additional lessons on leadership from St. Thomas More.
St. Wenceslaus, a Czech king, sought to maintain Christian values in the middle of widespread, dangerous political intrigue. He is a martyr.
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, while not a figure of elected or royal authority, was nonetheless a leader. She radically transformed how the world views poverty and devoted her life to serving the least among us, as Jesus himself would.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux is viewed as one of the most powerful saints of the 20th century despite not living long enough to serve in any recognizable leadership roles within her family or her Carmelite community. Her “little way” can teach us much about humility, and the importance of doing small things with love and greatness.
Pray for others
A good leader cannot afford to neglect prayer. It should be his or her first priority every morning. As is attributed to St. Francis de Sales, “Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer a day, except when we are busy – then we need an hour.”
One last important thing: leaders ought always to pray for those they lead. If you head a team, a mission, a family, a business, or any kind of organization where others depend on you—pray to our Father that you may be humble and wise enough to lead them. Pray for the virtues that will guide you and for forgiveness ahead of time should you make a mistake. And, last of all, thank God in your prayer for the opportunity to be of service to others.
