7 Scriptures and Prayers for Pastors and Church Leaders
Pastors
Audio By Carbonatix
3:00 AM on Wednesday, October 21
By Lori Stanley Roeleveld, Pastors
1. Pray for boldness and clarity of teaching for pastors.
Paul asked for this prayer in Ephesians 6:19-20. A prayer for your pastor or church leaders based on this Scripture could be:
Lord, give effective words to our pastor and leaders when they open their mouths to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which they (and we) are ambassadors. Whether speaking with one person or preaching/writing to many, give them strength of heart, courage of conviction, discerning wisdom, and gracious speech that reflects Your love and truth. Amen.
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2. Pray for open doors for the gospel.
Even when Paul was imprisoned, his heart was that the gospel would spread and that Satan would not be able to hinder that work (Colossians 4:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 3:1). We can pray this, too, for our pastor and for the leaders of all the churches in our region.
Father, hear our prayer for our pastor and for every church leader in (name your city, county, state, or nation), that Your Word may speed ahead of them and be honored when they speak about the gospel. Open a door to the gospel in our area that no evil force can close for our church leaders and us to declare the mystery of Christ with our words and with our lives. May your Holy Spirit open hearts and draw many to repentance and into saving relationships with Jesus Christ so that our churches are full and the gospel flourishes in our times. Amen.
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3. Pray for a guarded heart and personal integrity for your pastor.
When pastors and church leaders fall into discouragement, depression, doubt, or even public sin, many souls are damaged within the church and outside the church walls. Pray this prayer for your own leaders and for those of neighboring churches based on Proverbs 4:23 and 1 Timothy 4:16.
Lord, have mercy on our church leaders and our pastors, that they would, as the proverb says, keep their hearts with all vigilance and so flow with springs of life. Like Paul’s counsel to Timothy, we ask that they would keep close watch on their lives and their teaching and persist in this that they may save both themselves and those who hear their words and teaching. Hear our prayer in Jesus’s name, Amen.
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4. Pray for willing, humble shepherd’s hearts.
All of us are subject to temptation and we have individual weaknesses the enemy is determined to exploit. Pray this then, for your pastor, in accordance with Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 5:2-4.
Father, we pray for our pastor to shepherd us well, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as you would have him, and not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over us, but being an example to us all. We pray that when You appear, our pastor will receive the unfading crown of glory. Let us be a joy to lead with ears that hear all you have to offer through the pastor’s words. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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5. Pray for strength against weariness and burnout.
Large churches often have many staff members to shoulder the burdens of many ministries, while small churches, though containing fewer people, often have only one or two pastoral staff, with church leadership rotating among the few who are called and willing. Leaders in both situations can be subject to burnout. Pray for them with the words of Galatians 6:9 and Isaiah 40:29-31.
Lord, help our pastor and church leaders to not grow weary in doing good. Help them remember they will be rewarded in due season if they do not give up. Send them strong encouragement now, Father. Give power to them when they are faint, and when they feel no might, increase their strength. Have mercy on them when they are weary and exhausted. Help them persevere to wait for You and trust that you shall renew their strength and they shall mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Make us sensitive to their need to rest and help us respond to calls for assistance quickly and with cheerful hearts. Amen.
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6. Pray for pastors to be protected from spiritual attack and opposition.
Peter warns us that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Pray using the words of 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 that your pastor and church leaders are defended against these attacks.
Lord, hear our prayer for mercy and strength for our pastors and leaders. We pray that they may be delivered from wicked and evil people who would seek to discourage or even destroy Your work. Defend them against all spiritual attacks and remind them that You are faithful. Establish them and guard them against the evil one who has been defeated in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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7. Pray for pastors' families and for their own walk with God.
Church leaders’ families are under many of the same demands as they are and, depending on personality or stage of life, may be feeling that pressure even more. Pray for them using Paul’s words in Colossians 1:9-11.
Father, we pray your blessing, protection, and refreshment on our pastor and church leader’s families, asking that they may be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing You. We ask, too, that they would always be bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in their knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.
Use your words often, not only to pray, but also to encourage those who lead. If you have been blessed by their teaching or ministry, let them know. If you appreciate an aspect of their character or their approach to the work, say so. If you are grateful God sent them to minister to you, don’t wait until their good-bye party to thank them for all they do. Let the pastors and leaders know you pray for them and encourage them with Scriptures as they encourage you.
We are not all called to preach or to lead, but like Aaron, Hur, and the first churches planted by the apostles, we can all support those who do.
Related Resource: Famous Wife, Divided Life: Doug Johnson on 'The Look' That Exposed His Addiction and Finally Giving It to Jesus
Doug Johnson knew his drinking had gotten bad. There were bottles of whiskey disappearing over a weekend, around $1,000 a month going toward alcohol, Everclear mixed into sweet tea, and drinking at 10 in the morning. But he still wasn't ready to admit it was a problem.
Then came "the look"—the moment his wife, Abby, looked at him and had seemingly lost all hope after making one request: don't get drunk. She needed to know their kids were going to be safe while she was gone. Despite his promise, he could see she felt she was rolling the dice.
At last, he couldn't ignore it. And it started him on a path not to sobriety, but to Jesus in a new way.
In this episode, Doug joins Jon Seidl to talk about the resentment, loneliness, and purposelessness that helped turn alcohol into what he calls “the cure”; how addiction affected his marriage to popular pro-life advocate Abby Johnson; his faith; why he believes getting sober became an act of sacrificial love; and what it took to rebuild trust.
Five years after his last drink, Doug explains why freedom wasn't ultimately about replacing alcohol with something else, but rather fully surrendering at the feet of Jesus. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, share this podcast or follow Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/kate_sept2004
