Building a Leader: The Right Raw Material (Peter)

The twelve apostles included "Simon, who is called Peter" (Matt. 10:2). God can use your natural abilities as a basis for your spiritual service.

Peter is a good illustration of how God builds a spiritual leader. He begins with a person's natural traits and works from there. Natural traits alone don't make a spiritual leader—the person must also be gifted and called by the Holy Spirit to lead in the church and be a model of spiritual virtue. But often God endows future leaders with natural abilities that constitute the raw materials from which He builds spiritual ministries. That was certainly the case with Peter, who demonstrated the leadership qualities of inquisitiveness, initiative, and involvement.

Peter was always asking questions. In fact, the gospel records show he asked more questions than all the other disciples combined! People who aren't inquisitive don't make good leaders because they're not concerned about problems and solutions.

Initiative was another indicator of Peter's leadership potential. He not only asked questions, but also was often the first to respond when Jesus asked the questions (e.g., Matt. 16:15-16; Luke 8:45).

Also, Peter loved to be in the middle of the action, even when it got him into trouble. For example, we might criticize his lack of faith when he sank after walking on water, but remember, the rest of the disciples never even got out of the boat.

Peter was inquisitive, showed initiative, and sought to be involved. How about you? Are you inquisitive about God's truth? Do you take the initiative to learn about Him? Do you want to be involved in what He is doing? If so, you have the raw material for spiritual leadership. Continue to cultivate those qualities, allowing the Spirit to use you for God's glory.

Ask God for opportunities to lead others in the way of righteousness. Use every opportunity to its fullest.

Read the following verses, noting the kinds of questions Peter asked: Matthew 15:15; 18:21; 19:27; Mark 13:2-4; John 21:20-22.

We need godly leaders in America and around the world, but so lacking today. Many are inquisitive and involved, but lack Holy Spirit inspiration. So many are inspired by the fallen powers of the world.

For Christians In Leadership Positions

Loving Lord, I bring before You the many leaders of the world, and those in high positions, knowing that the nation whose God is the Lord is a blessed nation indeed. I pray for those leaders around the world, who are seeking to abide by the truth of Your law. May they be tools, used by You, to maintain justice and righteousness in their respective positions and nations.

I particularly lift up those men and women whom You have called into national leadership positions and pray that they will give You first place in their lives. May they seek You diligently in prayer when they are called upon to make difficult decisions that affect the lives of so many people.

Lead and guide them into all truth and guard them from the ridicule that Christian leaders of our nations inevitably have to face in a world that has predominantly abandoned the truth of Scripture.

Lord, I lift up all kings, governors and those in high positions, and pray that You will bring many to faith in the Lord Jesus, so that we may all live peaceably in this world into which You have placed us.

Protect our nation O Lord I pray, and bring us back to a nation whose God is the Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/for-christians-in-leadership-positions-738

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