Shared by Ann Chen
One thing I’ve been learning this year is the importance of prayer as a leader. In the past, when ministering to people, I usually asked myself questions like, What advice can I give? How can I help? What can I do? How can I walk with them? and I struggled as I sought to help them. But in December, I prayed, “God, I want to be a person of prayer, but I don’t really know what that looks like as a minister and as a leader. I really want to know what that means.” Part of this involved going to God more in my personal prayer times, but one surprising thing was that I found it had impact on direct ministry with people. I began praying with people more. Instead of giving advice, I just prayed with them and asked them to go to Jesus themselves, and instead of me trying to wrap my brain around what to do, God just began showing up in people’s lives.
I realize now that prayer is a place where leaders need to be because it’s really giving God full reign in ministering to people. As I let go of my ability to do things, people are touched and changed by God. There was one girl that I prayed with who had a life-transforming encounter, and I had no idea what I did. All I said was, “Let’s pray and see how Jesus ministers.” Now, whether praying with someone or just praying on my own, things begin to happen and God actually moves. This was something new to me. It’s given me not only an understanding of how important prayer ministry is, but also the recognition that God is the one who can do things, not me.
Ann Chen is a student at Fuller Theological Seminary getting a dual degree in Intercultural Studies and Theology & Ministry. On the side, she is conference chair of the World Christian Conference (WCC) and does volunteer staffing with InterVarsity. Ann has a BA in Urban Studies & Planning from UCSD, a Master’s in Education, and six years’ experience teaching middle school.
Interviewed by Joy Wong
Agreed! This is what I’ve recently been learning as well!