"Learning the Language and Levels of Leadership Through Prayer" - Pastor Alonzo S. Wagner III

When we scan the Old Testament—its chronology and spiritual origins—we meet leaders whose lives were animated by prayer. Their petitions did not merely ask for help; they aligned missions with God’s grace, stayed judgment, and interceded for mercy and morality. Their practices shaped their faith and, at times, altered outcomes.

Great leadership, Scripture shows, begins with the capacity to connect with God—to “hook up with the Holy,” as some might say. Abraham, Moses, Solomon and Jehoshaphat model this truth, each in a distinct way. And later, the dramatic reversal in King Manasseh’s life reminds us of how far grace can reach.

We only have a few minutes. Let’s look briefly at each.

Abraham: learning to let God be God

Abraham, the “father of the faithful,” once bargained with God over Sodom. With a series of respectful questions, he pressed: Would God sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there were 50 righteous—45—40—30—20—10? Each time, God agreed to spare the city for the sake of the righteous.

In essence, Abraham was seeking to understand how the Sovereign rules the cosmos. Early in his faith journey, he prayed from a flawed assumption that God might have missed something. As he entreated the Lord and weighed the moral condition of Sodom, he discovered the depth of God’s insight. The lesson for leaders and intercessors is clear: learn when to let go and let God be God.

Moses: pleading God’s mercy—for God’s name

Later, Moses prayed with audacious urgency. In the smoke-filled summit of Sinai, after hearing, seeing and sensing Israel’s idolatry, he placed himself between God and the people. He shifted from pure justice to a plea for protection.

Moses anchored his intercession in God’s character and reputation among the nations. He reminded God of the promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, arguing that destroying Israel would contradict God’s mercy and be misread by Egypt. Scripture records the outcome simply: the Lord relented and did not bring on the people the disaster he had threatened.

Godly leadership learns to plead—first for ourselves, and then for our people—appealing to God’s character and covenant.

Solomon: praying ahead of the “what ifs”

At the temple dedication, Solomon’s prayer faced the “what ifs” of life: What if we stray? What if drought comes? What if enemies prevail? He knew people are not always what they ought to be, having seen both his father’s failures and Israel’s uneven fidelity.

So Solomon prayed a “just in case” prayer—an appeal for mercy even when sin scars the future. God’s well-known answer still guides leaders: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray … then I will hear from heaven.”

Wise leadership anticipates pitfalls and prays in advance—offering assurance and spiritual “insurance” to those we serve.

Jehoshaphat: trusting the posture of praise

When enemies massed, Jehoshaphat prayed for deliverance. God’s directive was startling: put the singers in front of the soldiers and watch what I will do. Jehoshaphat obeyed, and praise led the procession.

Leadership must learn to trust both the promise and the process of prayer. These were righteous people praying imperfect prayers to a perfect God, seeking a change in history and a transformation in the moment. God said yes.

Manasseh: grace that goes the distance

If effective leaders are to endure, we must remember the reach of grace—even in the darkest stories. Consider Manasseh.

2 Chronicles 33:11–13 “Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.”

Manasseh was the son of a godly king, Hezekiah, yet he reversed his father’s reforms. He served false gods, brought pagan worship into the Lord’s courts, even passed his children through the fire to Molech. He pursued witchcraft and sorcery, misled Judah by the weight of his office, ignored prophetic appeals, persecuted the faithful and is remembered in tradition as the king who ordered Isaiah’s death.

The catalog of wrongdoing is long. The environment he fostered was ruthless and corrupt. Finally, Assyrian captors dragged him away, bound in chains. At the feet of affliction, he prayed.

And God listened. God heard. God restored. Manasseh returned to Jerusalem and reigned in full for 55 years.

If God could hear Manasseh, he can hear us. If God could restore Manasseh to his throne, he can restore what is broken in us—returning years the locusts have eaten and repairing what the cankerworm has destroyed. Our prayers for restoration can include reclamation of what looks forever lost.

What leaders can learn

Maybe faithful leadership is keeping the light on in the windows of grace—believing prodigals still see a welcome.

Maybe faithful leadership is empowered by persistent petitions for our people, even when they are not yet penitent.

Maybe faithful leadership is the steady posture of waiting, watching and welcoming.

So we keep praying: “Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you.” He is willing to aid you. Jesus is willing to aid you. He will carry you through.

Takeaway: The language of leadership is learned on our knees. Abraham teaches us to trust God’s wisdom. Moses shows us how to plead God’s mercy for God’s name. Solomon models praying ahead of the “what ifs.” Jehoshaphat reminds us to put praise before battle. And Manasseh proves no case is beyond grace.

By Alonzo S. Wagner III