Insights are short, biblical truths to equip you to lead from your strengths.
- “Relief.”
- “Surprise.”
- “Clarity.”
Many of you have shared those reactions about how you felt when you first discovered your strengths.
During that time of discovery, you likely took time to thank God for those strengths and the strengths of those around you.
Now God invites you to go deeper in understanding and using your strengths. One way to do so is through prayer. And the outcome can be more powerful than you might imagine.
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV).
Here’s an Insight
Pray regularly about your natural strengths – and watch God move.
Strengths are a gift from God and as such, can be used for His work or can be skewed. As we pray, we align ourselves with God and give Him access to work. Prayer also serves as way to check our motivations and attitudes. The surest way to ensure your strengths are used for God’s work is to cover them in prayer.
Here is a practical model you can use as you pray about your natural strengths. It is a tool you can use over and over as you partner with God to lead from your strengths.
A Prayer to Pray about Your Natural Strengths
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the natural strengths you have given me: [name specific strengths].
You have decided that I should have these strengths. I trust you with that decision. (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Forgive me, Lord, if I resent one of the strengths you have given me … if I long for a particular strength in a different proportion … if I desire a strength I see in another person. Let me value your gift in me. Prevent me from comparing my strengths with others’ strengths. I specifically confess … [name any resentment or jealousy about your strengths]. Since all your gifts are good (James 1:17) , I can freely believe my strengths are good. Where I am surprised by these strengths, assure me of your purposes.
Help me see that my strengths are an intentional gift from you. Keep me from using my strength in any inappropriate way. I understand that you have given me these natural strengths to use to help others. (1 Corinthians 12:7). Show me how to do that. I pray you make me aware of opportunities to use this strength to build up my team, my spouse, my family, and those in my community. Help me combine my natural strengths with those around me to work together for your purposes.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
More Strengths Tools
Devotional: Give Thanks for Your Strengths