There is something powerful about quiet moments with God. In the busyness of life, it’s not always easy to carve out the time to be still and listen. Yet we must. Time in God’s presence not only refreshes our soul, but it also helps us grow as leaders.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “Solitude with God repairs the damage done by the fret and noise and clamour of the world.” How can we expect God to move in us and shape us as leaders if we don’t give Him time to do so?

Scripture records several instances when Jesus retreated to pray in solitude. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Prioritizing prayer in 2021 will help you grow as a Christ follower and gain clarity for your ministry. As you look ahead to a new season and reflect on this past year, here are three areas of leadership to bring before God in prayer:

1. Vision. What is your vision for this year? Vision is how you plan for a purpose-filled future.

Proverbs 16 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3). When we take time to seek God and ask Him to speak to us, we must also be willing to commit our plans to Him.

Ask God to help you understand the purpose, direction and motivation of your leadership role. Such clarity will help you forge ahead with laser focus on the mission to which God has called you.

Take away distractions, mute the noise, and find a place of solitude.

2. Goals. Align your actions with God’s purpose for your life. Set goals that move you closer to the vision God has given you.

Stewarding a calling demands focus and commitment. Paul recognized this. He encouraged the Philippians not to lose sight of the ultimate goal of serving Christ.

The Message puts it this way: “Let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision — you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it” (Philippians 3:15–16).

3. Relationships. Seek guidance and discernment in your relationships with others. Ask the Lord to direct you to godly friends who can speak into your life. Also consider whether you need to pull back from a relationship that is hindering your spiritual growth.

Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20).

The start of a new year is a good opportunity to make changes and set goals for ourselves and our ministries. But it shouldn’t be about what we want; it’s about finding out what God wants for us.

The key is getting alone with God — whether it’s spending an hour in prayer and meditation each morning or carving out a few days to spend time away in God’s creation.

Take away distractions, mute the noise, and find a place of solitude. Prioritize hearing from God. Then you can get busy pursuing His plan as He reveals it.

When we seek God, He guides our every step. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make straight your paths.”

God wants us to relentlessly pursue what He has for us, but we have to be willing to hear from Him.