A Three-Step Plan for a Summer Reset – Part 2

This summer isn’t just an important time to reset; it’s an essential time to reset.

On many levels, it seems like our world is coming unglued.

The level of chaos, complexity and disruptive change are beyond anything I have experienced in my lifetime. There are wars, food shortages, mass shootings, changing weather patterns, inflation, stagflation (whatever that is), polarization, racism, incivility, historic and current injustices and the list goes on.

We are living in a post-truth, my-truth-world where anything seems to go. The long slow decline for many churches has been amplified by COVID, and many Christian leaders feel weary and overwhelmed. Some Christian leaders are hoping for a “return to normal” at a time when reimagination is likely the only viable option.

On the hopeful side, we know God is still on the throne. He’s actively about His business and can untangle and redeem big messes. People are still designed for God’s ways. The Church is still His bride. He may very well be pruning for future health. He is bringing what’s been hidden in darkness into the light. There are also unique and great opportunities to love, serve and point people to Jesus.

The current times are also somewhat freeing. It’s clear that we can’t fix all this on our own. It’s beyond our ability. It’s beyond our smarts. The needs are beyond our work ethic or capacity. There are powers and principalities at work in the spiritual realm that are beyond earthly reach.

It may seem like we are out of viable options, but there is one response that can change more than we can imagine.

We must turn to God. We are utterly dependent on Him. Only He is able.

One way to demonstrate our dependence on God is through prayer. That’s why prayer is the second step for a summer reset. (If you haven’t read the post on step one, see Rest here)

We need to call on God. Like David prayed in Psalm 70:5, we can pray:
“But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.”

• We need to call heaven down to earth.
• We need to pray for revival in the Church and spiritual awakening in the land.
• We need to pray for leaders, in general, and for more Jesus-centered leaders, in particular.

To see real positive change in these crazy days, I believe we need to take personal and corporate prayer to a whole new level.

How can prayer be a key priority for you and your team this summer, into the fall and going forward?

We may take different approaches, but the key is to get praying. It may be the most important contribution we can make.

Cheering you to Lead Different by praying!

Dr. Steve A. Brown
President, Arrow Leadership