The Training Grounds of the Kingdom: Developing Spiritual Disciplines for Stronger Leadership
Champions Aren’t Made in the Arena; They’re Built in the Gym
Leadership isn’t about the public platform but the unseen disciplines that shape us into people God can trust with influence. Just like athletes train for a game, leaders must train for ministry. Without preparation, consistency, and dedication, a leader will find themselves overwhelmed by the weight of their calling. The strength for public ministry is forged in the quiet moments of discipline. Today, we’re stepping into the Kingdom training gym to strengthen our spiritual disciplines, ensuring we are equipped to lead with endurance, wisdom, and resilience.
The Gym of Leadership
Imagine walking into a gym and immediately loading up 315 pounds on the bench press without warming up or ever having trained for it. It’s a terrible idea—a sure way to get injured. Yet, many leaders do the same thing in ministry. They step into leadership roles without building a foundation in spiritual disciplines and then wonder why they struggle under the weight of leadership responsibilities.
Ministry leadership is not just a position; it is a calling and a responsibility. The weight of it, if not adequately supported by spiritual strength, can crush those who carry it. Many leaders enter ministry with passion and vision, but without the structure of prayer, fasting, study, and rest, they quickly find themselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and ineffective. Success in ministry is not about charisma—it is about character and endurance. Leaders build character and endurance through spiritual disciplines practiced in private long before being tested in public.
1. Prayer → The Oxygen of Leadership
Prayer is the very oxygen of leadership. Without it, a leader is gasping for air, trying to sustain themselves on their own strength. The Bible commands us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV), not as a religious ritual but as a lifeline to the wisdom and power of God.
Consider Daniel, who prayed three times a day even when doing so put his life at risk (Daniel 6:10). His consistency in prayer was so well-known that his enemies had to outlaw prayer to trap him. Likewise, Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” attributed the power of his sermons not to his eloquence but to the hundreds of people praying beneath the sanctuary while he preached. Prayer isn’t just a habit but a source of supernatural strength.
Ministry leaders are expected to counsel, preach, solve problems, cast vision, and care for people, often without a break. Without a deep and consistent prayer life, they operate on their own strength, leaving them vulnerable to burnout, discouragement, and frustration. In his early leadership, Moses tried to bear the burden alone until his father-in-law, Jethro, warned him, “You will surely wear yourselves out, for this thing is too much for you” (Exodus 18:18, NKJV).
Yet, many leaders struggle with prayer. The biggest hindrances? Busyness—thinking there’s no time to pray. Distractions—allowing social media, notifications, and mental clutter to steal focus. Inconsistency—only praying in crisis moments. To combat these obstacles, schedule prayer like an appointment, make it a daily habit and use Scripture as a guide. The purpose of prayer is not “emergency roadside assistance”—its purpose is to be our constant connection to the source of all strength.
Reflection: How strong would your relationship be if you spoke to your spouse as often as you talk to God? If your leadership effectiveness was measured by your prayer life, how strong would it be?
Application: Schedule a non-negotiable daily prayer time. Treat it as essential as eating or sleeping.
2. Fasting → The Weight Room of the Spirit
Fasting is the spiritual weight room—it builds endurance, dependence on God, and spiritual authority. Jesus Himself declared, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21, NKJV). Some breakthroughs, victories, and deliverances only happen through fasting.
Consider Moses, who fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Or John Wesley, who wouldn’t ordain anyone into ministry unless they fasted twice weekly. These men understood that ministry isn’t just a job—it’s a battle. Spiritual forces are actively working against Kingdom leaders. Without the spiritual authority gained through fasting, leaders are more vulnerable to temptation, discouragement, and opposition.
The main barriers to fasting are fear of weakness (“I’ll be too weak without food!”), misunderstanding (“Isn’t fasting just for monks?”), and legalism (turning fasting into a performance rather than a way to seek God). But when done right, fasting is a tool that strengthens spiritual resilience.
Best Practices: Start small by fasting one meal or a half-day. Always combine prayer and fasting—fasting without prayer is just dieting. And remember, fasting isn’t just about food; sometimes fasting from social media, entertainment, or validation-seeking is just as powerful.
Reflection: What do you find hardest to give up? That may be the very thing controlling your heart.
Application: Identify something your heart is overly attached to and fast from it this week.
3. Devotions & Bible Study → The Playbook for Success
A leader who does not regularly engage with Scripture is like an athlete playing without a playbook. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Without a deep well of Scripture, leaders risk making choices based on emotions, pressure, or popular opinion instead of God’s truth.
Ezra, a scribe and priest, devoted himself to studying and teaching God’s law (Ezra 7:10). Billy Graham read five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs daily for decades. These leaders knew that decision-making in leadership must be rooted in God’s Word.
However, many leaders struggle with Bible study due to lack of time, feeling unqualified, or inconsistency. The solution? Set a reading plan and journal insights, and apply what you read [Five Lakes Church uses the S.O.A.P method of devotion found here]. Knowledge that is not combined with action is wasted.
Reflection: Do you treat the Bible like a software agreement—scrolling to the bottom and clicking ‘I agree’ without reading?
Application: Choose a new book of the Bible to study deeply.
4. Rest & Sabbath → The Recovery Room
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV)
Before making significant decisions, Jesus took time to rest and be alone with the Father. Before choosing His twelve disciples, He spent an entire night in solitude (Luke 6:12-13). Modern leaders must recognize the importance of this practice. Without rest, even the most passionate leaders can burn out. No matter how fulfilling, leadership can become exhausting without a rhythm of rest built into it. Many leaders believe the work of God depends solely on them, pushing themselves past healthy limits. In truth, the Kingdom of God thrives when leaders lead from a place of renewal, not exhaustion.
Chick-fil-A is a strong example of honoring the Sabbath principle. By closing on Sundays, they prioritize obedience to God and demonstrate that true success is not based on human striving but on God’s blessing. When leaders take rest seriously, they acknowledge their dependence on God rather than their own ability to work harder.
The weight of endless ministry without rest can have severe consequences. After his great victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah fell into deep despair. He reached a breaking point, crying out, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life” (1 Kings 19:4, NKJV). God did not rebuke Elijah for this prayer. Jehovah God invited Elijah to rest. Before giving him further direction, God provided food, water, and time for Elijah to sleep. This powerful example shows that God values our well-being and understands our physical limitations.
Yet, many leaders struggle to embrace rest due to several hindrances. Guilt convinces them that resting is unproductive. Overcommitment leads them to say yes to everything, leaving no room for renewal. Disregarding boundaries means personal time is sacrificed on the altar of busyness. However, ignoring rest does not make a leader more effective—it makes them more vulnerable to burnout, resentment, and even moral failure.
To combat these challenges, leaders must implement best practices for Sabbath. Scheduling rest should be as intentional as scheduling work. Without setting aside time for recovery, exhaustion will become the default state. Turning off devices is crucial—digital noise constantly demands attention, making it difficult to be fully present in moments of rest. Finally, leaders should engage in activities that genuinely rejuvenate them, such as worship, spending time in nature, or being with family.
Observation: If God took a day to rest, why do we think we’re too important to do the same? How many leaders have burned out simply because they refused to embrace the Sabbath?
Application: Schedule a weekly Sabbath and commit to it. Protect this time as fiercely as you would any other important responsibility.
5. Worship → The Pre-Game Anthem
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24, NKJV)
Prayer is communication with God—bringing our needs, interceding for others, and aligning ourselves with His will. Worship, however, is exaltation—it magnifies God, not our requests. Worship makes God bigger in our eyes—not because He changes, but because our perspective does. When we worship first, our prayers are shaped by who God is, not just what we need.
Jesus understood the power of worship, even in difficult moments. After the Last Supper, He and His disciples sang a hymn before heading to Gethsemane (Matthew 26:30). This wasn’t just tradition—it was declaring God’s greatness before facing His ultimate trial. Similarly, Corrie ten Boom, imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, chose to worship in her barracks. She and her sister Betsie even thanked God for the fleas in their room—later discovering that the fleas kept the guards away, allowing them to hold Bible studies secretly. Worship shifts focus from our circumstances to God’s sovereignty. It reminds us that God is in control no matter what.
A strong personal worship habit avoids seeking people’s approval rather than God’s presence. When leaders anchor themselves in worship, they are less likely to become addicted to affirmation. The addiction to affirmation of others often leads to insecurity, comparison, and self-promotion. King David certainly had significant failings in his life. However, he did learn to strengthen himself in the Lord through worship, even when everything around him was falling apart (1 Samuel 30:6).
Some of the biggest hindrances to worship include distractions—allowing our minds to wander or thinking about tasks while singing. Self-consciousness can also be an obstacle, making us more worried about how we look rather than whom we are exalting. These distractions make the focus of our worship-us-not God.
Best Practices: Worship before work—starting the day with praise sets the right tone. Be expressive—engage fully in worship without holding back.
Observation: Some people only worship if their favorite song is playing or the atmosphere is “right” for them. This mindset makes worship about personal preference rather than God’s worthiness.
Application: Worship before starting your daily tasks. Make it a priority rather than an afterthought.
6. Serving → The Strength Test
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11, NKJV)
In John 13, Jesus—King of Kings—knelt to wash the dirty feet of His disciples. Washing feet was standard when roads were dirt, and most wore sandals. Having their feet cleaned when entering a house was refreshing and kept the house clean. However, washing feet was generally reserved for the lowest servant in the household. Yet, Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15, NKJV). Servant leadership is not just a theory—it is the very nature of Christ.
Mother Teresa modeled this truth through her lifelong service to the sick and the dying. She didn’t wait for a platform or a title—she served. Leadership isn’t about position; it’s about action.
Leaders who fail to embrace serving as a discipline become entitled, expecting others to serve them instead. Over time, this mindset destroys relationships, credibility, and ministry effectiveness. Jesus made it clear: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12, NKJV).
Some leaders avoid serving due to pride and entitlement—believing they’ve worked hard enough to be exempt from small tasks. Others feel too busy, caught up in big-picture responsibilities, neglecting hands-on ministry. However, faithful service is not about doing everything but leading with a servant’s heart in every task.
Best Practices: Lead by example—never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do. Serve outside your comfort zone—step into areas where help is most needed. Make service a lifestyle, not just an event.
Observation: If you think you’re too important to serve, you may need a humility check. Jesus washed feet—some of us barely want to stack chairs.
Application: Find a way to serve outside your usual role this week. It could be cleaning up after an event, setting up chairs, or volunteering in an unfamiliar area. Do it without seeking recognition, and watch how God blesses it.
Conclusion: Train Daily. Lead Strong. Finish Well.
What kind of leader will you be? Which of these disciplines do you struggle with the most? Leadership is not built in moments of public applause but in the private training grounds of discipline.
Challenge: Commit to strengthening one spiritual discipline this week.
Prayer: Lord, strengthen us in private so we can be effective in public. Amen.