Five friends are wasting time trying to decide where to have lunch. One wants speed, one wants ambience, one wants a particular cuisine, yada yada. Finally the one with the loudest voice and best common sense figures out a compromise and ends the dithering: All right! We’re going there!

The Israelites who lived in the northern part of the country in the 13^th century b.c. were coming under great stress on one occasion because of an aggressive army of Canaanites led by King Jabin. God’s prophet Deborah commissioned Barak as the Israelite commander and urged Israel to rally against the threat. The Lord gave a great victory to Israel, and peace returned to the land. “On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: ‘When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the Lord!’” (Judges 5:1,2).

If you have military service in your background, you need no persuading about the tremendous value of leadership in a group endeavor. But all of us, civilians included, benefit from good leadership in our government, businesses, churches, and families. It’s much more fun to follow when a gifted individual provides clear direction, encouragement, and job assignments. Good leaders listen well, assess the path ahead, inventory resources, and come up with a plan. Good followers know when to be quiet and join the team.

Would you choose an important leader in your life and pray for that person right now?