40 Specific Prayers You Can Pray For Your Pastor

Thursday, 10th April 2008

Pray For Your Pastor

Matt 16:19 states this: "...whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." KJV

Behind every great leader, there is someone who is willing to sacrifice for him through prayer. This is true of the heroes of the Bible; it is just as true of today's pastors. They need people who will intercede for them in powerful, consistent, specific prayer. An intercessor is someone who bears another's burdens. When Moses' hands were tired, Aaron and Hur interceded by holding up his hands, and the battle was won (Exodus 17:8-13). Likewise, we can hold up the

Here are a list of 40 prayer suggestions as you pray for your pastor:

1. I thank my Father that your eyes are on my shepherd, your ears are attentive to his prayers, and your face is against those who plot evil against him (1 Peter 3:12). For I know that in all things you work for the good of _____ who loves you (Rom. 8:28). Will you not give him this city for Christ? And who can accuse this pastor who is daily interceded for by Christ Jesus? (Rom. 8:32-34). Therefore, in all things _____ is more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37). Thank you, God.
2. Lord, we pray for discernment in exposing any schemes of the enemy against our pastor. Teach us to pray against all powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil. Protect us as we wage war on behalf of our pastor (Eph. 6:11-12).
3. Father, I thank you that no weapons formed against my pastor will prosper. Every tongue raised against him will be cast down. Rumors and gossip will be turned aside. For _____ will be still before the Lord and wait on you. He will dwell in the shadow of the Most High God, and will be delivered from terror, darts of doubt, and diseases (Ps. 91:5-6). Set your angels about _____ (Ps 91:11), and no power of the enemy shall harm him (Luke 10:19)
4. Lord, let_____ have a discerning mind to prioritize the precious minutes in the day. Let my shepherd discern what is most important and be guarded against the tyranny of the urgent (2 Cor. 11:14; 1 John 4:1).
5. Father, allow my shepherd to glory only in the cross (Gal. 6:14). Keep _____ from pride and pity. Let the cross be his reason for ministry. Amen.
6. Renew my pastor in the Holy Spirit. Let him wait and mount up with wings (Is. 40:27-31). Renew _____'s vision and confidence (1John 5:13-14), and Revive his boldness to stand in strong personal conviction (Acts 4:32).
7. Jesus, keep my pastor holy in every way (1 Peter 1:16). Protect him from seducing spirits, especially when he is tired and hard-pressed. Give _____ friends to help protect him and to share with in personal holiness (James 4:7). As my pastor draws near to you, draw near to him (James 4:8). Cancel the powers of sin that they have no effect on him (Eph. 1:22). Amen.
8. I pray that the eyes of my pastor may know the hope to which we are called and the riches of our glorious inheritance in the saints. Let him know the incomparable great power which is in us who believe (Eph. 1:18-19). Let _____ see the full revelation of Jesus (Gal. 1:12) and place in him a desire to know the power of His resurrection (Phil. 3:10). Amen.
9. Lord, deliver Pastor _____ from the tyranny of the unfinished. Grant him a sense of fulfillment and the personal joy of Jesus (1 Tim. 6:6; John 15:11). Amen.
10. Lord, as our shepherd spends quiet time with you, shed your love abroad in his heart. Let _____ know how much he is loved (Rom. 5:5). In Jesus' name, let the love of God be ______'s mainstay in ministry. So be it!
11. Lord, I lift up the hands of my pastor and his family. I will say of the Lord, you are their refuge and fortress. You will preserve their family time and cover their home. Your faithfulness will meet their financial needs in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). You will command your angels to guard them as they travel and win the lost. In Jesus' name I cancel all assignments of the enemy against them (Matt.6:10).
12. In Jesus' name, I speak to church hurts, abuse, and ungrateful forces to move, I speak to the mountains of criticism and of inordinate expectations and command that they be cast into the sea. I speak to stress, excessive phone counseling, and fatigue to be far from my pastor, and I believe every need, vision, and dream of _____'s will be completed (Mark 11:22-24; Phil. 4:19).
13. Forgive those who hurt _____ or speak against him, and may _____ walk in forgiveness (Eph. 4:32, 5:1). Guard him from futile thinking (Eph. 4:17) and vain imagination. Let every thought be taken captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
14. Lord Jesus, I know that in the course of pastoring, _____ is thrilled over conversions and changed lives, yet I also realize that he hears bad news and sad stories, and ministers to those who are dying. Therefore, keep him ever before your face in worship (Matt. 4:10). Let him see you and enjoy your presence ever more (Ps. 112:7). Let goodness and mercy follow _____ all the days of his life (Ps.23:6), and let his cup overflow (Ps.23:5). Amen.
15. In Jesus' name we bind the fear of failure and the fear of humankind (John 14:1). Let _____'s confidence not be eroded by the daily resistance to the gospel or his vision. Allow my pastor to fear God more than people. Amen.
16. Father, heal my shepherd's heart of any grief caused of beauty instead of ashes and anoint him with the oil of gladness instead of mourning. Clothe _____ with a garment of praise instead of a spirit of depression. I call my pastor an oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord to display your splendor (Is. 61:3).
17. Jesus, you said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled... Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" (John 14:1, 27). Apply these promises to _____. Let him know your plans to prosper, give hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
18. Keep my shepherd in the midst of good and exciting worship. Keep him from the traditions of men and religion which hold the form of godliness, but deny its power (2 Tim. 3:5). Give _____ a vision of heaven (Is. 6; Rev. 4). So be it!
19. With my shield of faith I cover my shepherd's mind to quench all flaming darts of doubt, vain imagination, or mental distractions (Marks 6:5-6). Let the mind of Christ be strong in my pastor. Amen.
20. Lord, I stand against the enemies of my pastor's prayer life - "busyness" (Acts 6:2-4), compulsions, compromise (Acts 5), unnecessary phone calls, chronic counselees, fatigue, sleeping (Matt. 26:41), appetites, television, late meetings, over-commitments, and doubt. Let nothing hinder _____'s time with you. Let him rise up to seek you (Mark 1:35), pray with other pastors (Acts 1:14), and pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).
21. Send the spirit of prayer upon _____ (Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:26). Send others to join us in praying for our pastor (1 Tim. 2:1-8). To you belong all glory and honor!
22. Lord, keep my pastor in the fear of God. Let him not fear people (Prov. 19:23). Give _____ boldness to confront sin and church controllers. Honor _____'s stand for you, and come to his rescue. I claim Psalm 35 for my shepherd.
23. Lord, use _____ to renew our denomination (Prov. 18:16) and to promote evangelism and holiness. Keep him from meetings for the sake of meetings. Redeem the time so as to use _____'s abilities in the most productive manner.
24. Lord give my pastor favor with his peers (Prov. 11:14). Keep _____ from comparing himself with other pastors, churches, or salary packages. Deliver _____ from the numbers trap, and give him a genuine concern for lost souls (Luke 19:10). Lord, you advance my shepherd. Let him not be caught up in any political quicksand; keep only Jacob's ladder, not a career ladder, before _____ (Gen.28:12).
25. Jesus, dominate _____'s ministry to make people become like you and not like a denominational facsimile (Col. 1:28). Thank you for your everlasting care.
26. Give my shepherd deep convictions and moral stands to reflect your holiness (Prov. 4:20-27). Let _____ not compromise truth, yet spread truth in love to address all social injustices and prejudice of any kind.
27. Let _____ trust in the Lord with all his heart. In all _____'s ways may you be acknowledged and therefore, my pastor's paths made straight (James 1:5).
28. Bless my pastor with rich study time (Acts 6:4; Tim. 2:15). Let Word abide in my pastor's heart and be his delight.
29. As _____ preaches, let him proclaim Jesus Christ (Col. 1:28). Let his preaching be in the energy of the Holy Spirit. May we be presented to you, Father, holy and blameless as a result of our pastor's words. Amen.
30. Jesus, bless my pastor's preaching, let him preach Jesus Christ and lead us to a revelation of the Savior (1 Peter 1:7). Give _____ many divine opportunities to proclaim you (Col. 4:3-4).
31. As your anointing teaches _____, reach us and admonish us in truth. Let your anointing on out pastor be strong and powerful to convert the lost and convict the sinful (Luke 4:18; 1 John 2:27).
32. Lord, by your Holy Spirit, anoint _____ to preach, and bring apostolic results (Acts 2:37). Let people be cut to the heart and accept Jesus Christ. Amen.
33. As my pastor speaks the Word, let signs and wonders follow confirming it (Mark 16:20). Let the sick be healed; let the oppressed be set free. Anoint _____ with the truth (Matt. 16:17).
34. With you, Lord, all things are possible. Lord, as you have promised, grant my beloved shepherd lasting fruit (Mal. 3:11; John 15:16). Let his converts become disciples who in turn disciple. Bless _____ with disciples who grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
35. God, I say that _____ will stand firm. Nothing will move him (1 Cor. 15:58). May my pastor always give himself fully to your work because his labor is not in vain.
36. O Lord, take my pastor's hand and lead him through difficult times. Let him know you are near and you are God. My shepherd will not be dismayed. You will strengthen, help, and uphold _____ with your righteous right hand (Is.41:10).
37. O God, allow _____ to enter your rest (Heb. 4; Matt. 11:28). Put your yoke on my pastor. When he is heavily laden or burdened, may he find comfort and peace in you, refreshed and renewed by your power in every aspect of his life.
38. Father I thank you for _____ and for his call and gifts (Col. 1:3-6). I praise you for sending such a shepherd for my soul! You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor, for you created all things, and by your will they were created (Rev. 4:11).
39. Lord make my pastor strong and filled with courage for every task (Josh. 1). Let him lead us to inherit our city for you. Thank you for being with _____.
40. In Jesus' name, _____ shall fight the good fight of faith, fleeing from evil by pursuing godliness, faith, love, and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:12). I praise you, Lord, that you have taken hold of this special shepherd in the personal experience of eternal life.

Filed under: Prayer