Men Who Do Not Pray
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical role of prayer in qualifying men for leadership within the church.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical role of prayer in the lives of men who lead within the church, warning against a trend where women take on the spiritual responsibilities while men neglect prayer. He asserts that true leadership in the church must be rooted in spiritual worth, which is cultivated through dedicated prayer. Tozer argues that a prayerless man lacks the vision necessary to guide the church effectively, and that spiritual qualifications must be prioritized over mere gender. He calls for men to earn their leadership through their commitment to prayer, ensuring they are deserving of their roles. The sermon concludes with a heartfelt prayer for integrity in leadership and a commitment to prayer.
Text
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. --Acts 6:3
Let us watch that we do not slide imperceptibly to a state where the women do the praying and the men run the churches. Men who do not pray have no right to direct church affairs. We believe in the leadership of men within the spiritual community of the saints, but that leadership should be won by spiritual worth.
Leadership requires vision, and whence will vision come except from hours spent in the presence of God in humble and fervent prayer? All things else being equal, a praying woman will know the will of God for the church far better than a prayerless man.
We do not here advocate the turning of the churches over to the women, but we do advocate a recognition of proper spiritual qualifications for leadership among the men if they are to continue to decide the direction the churches shall take. The accident of being a man is not enough. Spiritual manhood alone qualifies. We Travel an Appointed Way, 16.
"Lord, don't ever let me have leadership that I don't deserve. Don't ever let me become careless in prayer. Don't ever let me rely on the women to pray while I lead. Amen."
Sermon Outline
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I
- Importance of Prayer in Leadership
- Consequences of Prayerlessness
- Spiritual Qualifications for Men
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II
- Vision and Its Source
- Role of Women in Prayer
- Men's Responsibility in Spiritual Matters
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III
- The Need for Humble Leadership
- Recognition of Spiritual Worth
- Avoiding Gender-Based Leadership Assumptions
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IV
- Prayer as a Foundation for Decision Making
- The Call to Spiritual Manhood
- Commitment to Prayer in Leadership
Key Quotes
“Men who do not pray have no right to direct church affairs.” — A.W. Tozer
“All things else being equal, a praying woman will know the will of God for the church far better than a prayerless man.” — A.W. Tozer
“Lord, don't ever let me have leadership that I don't deserve.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Commit to daily prayer to seek God's guidance in leadership roles.
- Recognize and uphold spiritual qualifications over mere gender in church leadership.
- Encourage men to take responsibility for spiritual leadership through consistent prayer.