Looking for ways to encourage your pastor? One of the best ways you can do that is by praying for them. Take a look at these 20 powerful prayers for pastors and church leaders that you can use to encourage them and brighten their day!
What can I Pray for my Pastor?
One of the best ways to pray for your pastor is to use Scripture to guide your prayers. In the book of 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul gives detailed instructions to Timothy on how to select church leaders (overseers and deacons) to serve in ministry. This list of qualifications are great places to start when you are praying for your pastor and other ministry leaders in your congregation.
Here is the passage in 1 Timothy 3:1-12,
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:1-12
What are Overseers and Deacons?
In this passage, the words “overseer” (or “bishop” in some Bible translations) and “deacon” are two different Greek words. Overseer is the Greek word episkopē, which means the office of an elder, or the overseer or presiding officers of a Christian church (source). An elder is the Greek word diakonos, which is defined as the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use (source). The role of an overseer, deacon, or pastor is a wonderful calling to aspire to. They have the important role of teaching and leading God’s people into his truth.
This is such a powerful role in the church, and those of us who are not called to this office of leadership can pray for those in our churches who have this calling and great responsibility.
As you pray for the pastors and church leaders in your life, you can use the passage in 1 Timothy 3:1-8 to pray for their families, their character, and for strength, power, and perseverance to do the work of the Lord each day.
According to this passage in 1 Timothy, overseers should be:
~Above reproach
~Faithful in marriage
~Temperate and self-controlled
~Respectable
~Hospitable
~Able to Teach
~Not be given to drunkenness
~Not violent, but gentle
~Not quarrelsome
~Not a lover of money
~Must manage his own family well
~Must not be a recent convert
~Have a good reputation with outsiders
According to this passage, deacons should:
~Be worthy of respect
~Be sincere
~Not indulge in much wine
~Not pursue dishonest gain
~Keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience
20 Prayers for Pastors (Using 1 Timothy 3:1-8)
Here are 20 prayers for pastors you can use to pray for the church leaders in your community!
Prayers for Pastors to be Above Reproach
I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.
Job 27:6
Lord, thank you for my pastor. Please help him to grow in his faith each day, and to be a man who is above reproach. Teach him to be humble and full of grace. Grant him a teachable spirit who is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life. Help him to make good, sound decisions for the congregation you have entrusted him with. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to be Faithful in Marriage
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…
Ephesians 5:25
Lord, I pray for my pastor’s marriage. Help him to remain faithful to his wife and love her as you love your Church. Grant him the strength and fortitude to resist sexual temptations and to honor his wife as his beloved bride. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to be Temperate and Self-controlled
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…
Titus 2:11-13
Lord, I pray for my pastor to be temperate and self-controlled, and to be led by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your grace, that allows us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live holy, godly lives according to your Word. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to be Respectable
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17
Lord, thank you that my pastor is a respectable, godly man. Help him to continue to maintain his integrity within the community and live as an upright, honorable, and trustworthy person. Surround him with men in the faith who will encourage him and spur him on to do good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
Prayers for Pastors to be Hospitable
Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
Titus 1:7-8
Lord, I thank you for my pastor today. Thank you for his kind and hospitable spirit. May he continue to welcome those around him into the Body of Christ with love and grace. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to be Able to Teach
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
Lord, thank you for the divine wisdom and spiritual insight you have given my pastor. Help him to grow in the grace and knowledge of your Word each day, and equip him to use the Scriptures to teach powerful messages that transform the lives of many. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to not be given to Drunkenness
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18-19a
Lord, thank you for filling us with the power of your Holy Spirit. May my pastor not be given to drunkenness, debauchery, and ungodliness, but to live a holy life that is holy and pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to be Gentle
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
Proverbs 15:1-2
Lord, grant my pastor a spirit of love and gentleness. May he speak words of love, grace and kindness. May my pastor’s answers to others be gentle and turn away wrath, and may he speak words adorned with wisdom and knowledge. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to not be Quarrelsome
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
James 4:1-2
Lord, help my pastor to not be given to useless quarrels and arguments, but to be a person of peace. Help my pastor to seek your will in all he does. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to not be a Lover of Money
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Lord, keep my pastor free from the love of money. May you provide for the needs of my pastor’s family, and give them joy and contentment. Bless him abundantly with the spiritual blessings that come from serving you with a grateful heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to Manage their Family Well
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Lord, help my pastor to manage and take care of his family with honor and love. May their home be filled with the peace of Christ. Help him to seek your face for wisdom and understanding on how to serve his family with tenderness, sensitivity, and with joy. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to have a Good Reputation with Outsiders
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1
Lord, I pray for my pastor to have a good reputation with outsiders. Grant him a spirit of hospitality, love, and grace towards others. Give him a desire to reach out to those in the community who do not yet know you. May they come to know you through the love and godly example they see in my pastor. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to be Worthy of Respect
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…
1 Timothy 3:2
Lord, I pray for my pastor to be a person of respect, honor, and dignity. May my pastor be highly esteemed and regarded in the community as a godly person who serves others with joy and gladness. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to be Sincere
…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22
Lord, help my pastor and church leaders to love you with a sincere heart–with all their mind, soul, and strength (Matthew 22:37). Equip them to lead our congregation with profound love and care. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to not Pursue Dishonest Gain
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3
Lord, I pray for my pastor and church leaders to be willing to take care of the flock you have entrusted them with. May they not pursue dishonest gain, but to be great examples of how to show the love of Christ to others. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to Keep Hold of the Deep Truths of the Faith
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Lord, I pray for my pastor to stand firm in the faith. Help him to continue to preach the Gospel with power and courage, and with strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers for Pastors to Persevere in the Call they have Received
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1
Lord, I pray for my pastor and church leaders in my church to persevere in the call they have received. May you carry out to completion the wonderful work you have called them to. In times when they grow weary, grant them the strength to continue on their journey with joy and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for my Pastor’s Family
(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
1 Timothy 3:5
Lord, I pray for my pastor’s family. Help them to stay unified and strong. Fill their hearts with the joy of the Lord. Protect them from the schemes of the enemy, and help them to encourage one another and build each other up. Help them to grow in their faith and to serve you together with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Prayer for My Pastor’s Relationship with God
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:17-19a
Lord, I pray that my pastor and church leaders will continue to grow in their faith each day. Give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that they may know you better. Fill them with the incomparable spiritual blessings of delighting in you. May they teach our congregation from the overflow of love and joy that you pour into their hearts. Amen.
A Prayer for my Pastor’s Congregation
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
Lord, I pray for unity in the Body of Christ. Help our congregation to serve you with joy and gladness. Help us to build one another up, and to grow in our faith together as a community for your honor and glory. Amen.
In Conclusion
I hope that these prayers for pastors will serve as a blessing to those in your local church as you pray with power and purpose for those serving the Lord as pastors in your community!
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