How to Pray for Your Pastor

Praying for Your Pastor

by Pastor Randy D. Bond, Jr.

“Pray also for us.” —Paul (Col. 3:2)

Without a doubt, pastoring has become more challenging over the last few years. Effective ministry can only happen when it is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Your pastor urgently needs your consistent, specific prayer! James 4:2 reminds us that we "do not have because we do not ask God." Below are some specific areas to pray. We encourage you to pray the Scripture. Ask boldly for the things that God is looking for in a pastor to be graciously imparted to your pastor. You may not be able to pray all of these every day for your pastor, but if you will keep this in your Bible, then you can pray for at least one or two each day. Imagine what the Lord might do if your entire church family were praying consistently and fervently for your pastoral staff! May the Lord richly bless you as you seek the blessing of God for your pastor.

Pray for Blessing with Gratitude

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” (Col. 1:3)

Pray that his heart will be Humble and Desperately Reliant on God, not men. And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” (Ex. 33:15)

O, our God…we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You. (2 Chron. 20:12)

Pray for God’s Presence and Power

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9)

Pray for God’s Leadership and Wisdom for fruitful ministry

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:9-10)

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? (1 Kings 3:8)

Pray for Open Doors/Hearts and Bold Preaching

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ. (Col 4:3)

[pray]also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel…that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Pray that Love will fill, surround and encourage your pastor.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-45)

Plead for Protection and Steadfastness for him AND HIS FAMILY

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith (1 Pet. 5:8)

Pray for Strength and Refreshing

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. (Is. 40:31)

Pray that his character would always match his calling

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. (2 Thes. 1:11)

Pray the he will be able to competently carry out the fullness of his ministry. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16)

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Col. 1:28)