Prayer is the most powerful force in the world; it is truly life changing.
It’s the only thing that is not weakened, threatened, or hindered by other powers, challenging circumstances, cultural norms, or financial persuasion.
- Prayer isn’t limited by the size of your church. God’s heart is moved by just one faithful intercessor alone and on their knees, unseen by anyone but Heaven.
- Prayer doesn’t depend on the communication skills of your pastor.
- Prayer isn’t biased or favored by your denomination of preference.
- Prayer does not recognize or bow to generational, political, or economic differences.
- Praying in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit knows no limits or boundaries. There is no enemy who can defeat it. And it fears no other power for its origin is the great I AM.
Prayer moves the heart of God, aligns us with Heaven and advance Kingdom work.
Nothing shapes the outcomes of your church more than prayer, and the longer I lead, the more I understand and appreciate the prayers of faithful intercessors.
Your pastor, (and the staff), are prime targets for spiritual attack. Your prayers help win the battle. Thank you for your prayers!
Satan doesn’t have to chase your entire congregation, just the leaders, and especially your pastor and church staff.
If the Enemy can get to your pastor and church leaders, even take them out, he can hurt the whole church. Your prayers can change the future of your church.
The Enemy uses his portfolio of schemes to ensure everything from temptation to discouragement. He’s on the prowl and would be delighted to see your pastor anything from a little off his or her game to down for the count.
Your prayers can and will make a difference.
You can pray for your pastor daily, once a week, or each time the Holy Spirit prompts you. All prayer rhythms are good.
A practical plan to pray for your pastor:
1) Pray for God’s favor on your pastor.
God has given your pastor gifts, ability, and passion for accomplishing the work of ministry. However, without God’s power, there are no eternal results. A church can be built by human effort, but it won’t last. Prayer makes the difference.
Ministry has always been a divine partnership, your pastor does his or her part, and God does His part. Pray for that partnership.
Ask God for anointing on your pastor. Pray for favor, the power of the Holy Spirit, and specifically for the salvation of many people!
2) Pray for your pastor’s spiritual vitality.
Your pastor is not superhuman, in fact, he is just as human as you are. He needs to tend to his spiritual growth on a consistent basis.
If you think about a good campfire, no matter how big the fire was, over time it goes out. All fires go out unless you tend to them. The same thing is true with the spiritual fire in a leader’s soul that keeps them chasing after God.
Pray for your pastor’s love of God, for their genuine and daily relationship with Jesus, and that it would remain close, real and fresh.
Pray that your pastor’s heart for lost people is white hot. Ask God to give your pastor timely biblical insights.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would stir your pastor’s passion for prayer and that your pastor would regularly hear God’s voice.
3) Pray for your pastor’s leadership.
A great pastor loves his people and is a good shepherd of those people. He is also, however, a good leader. Both are needed for a growing and healthy church.
I truly believe that next to the favor of God, everything rises and falls on leadership.
Pray that your pastor is not only open to growing as a leader but passionate and committed to that growth.
Ask God to give your pastor strength of character, wisdom in decision-making, and passion in preaching.
Pray that God would grant your pastor great vision that is clear and inspiring, along with the needed direction and strategy to achieve that vision.
When is the last time you prayed for your pastor’s spiritual leadership?
4) Pray for your pastor’s family.
I’ve learned that when things are not going well at home, it’s very difficult to lead at church.
If Patti and I have argued, I can barely think straight until we have it resolved and we are good again. We’ve been married 45 years, and we have learned much through experience and maturity, but the commitment required to maintain a good home life still requires intentionality, grace and love.
Pray for your pastor’s spouse and children. Ask God to help them experience a deep and abiding love for each other. Pray for peace in their home and protection from spiritual attack.
Pray that the fruit of the Spirit would permeate your pastor’s home: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
And finally, pray that their home is filled with laughter.
5) Pray for your pastor’s physical health.
Your pastor’s life and leadership are limited without good health.
Many hardworking and wonderful pastors don’t exercise or eat well and won’t see a doctor unless their arm falls off. I’m not a fitness fanatic; in fact, I love a nice piece of chocolate cake. But I do care about my physical well-being and pray the same for all Christian leaders.
Your pastor may feel like he or she doesn’t have time to exercise or practice preventative medicine. I do understand. But you can pray!
God can intervene for good health through the Holy Spirit speaking to your pastor about taking care of their physical health.
Ask God specifically to strengthen their stamina, energy, clear thinking and resilience.
Feel free to forward this post to any or all in your congregation!
For your encouragement in prayer, reflect on Jesus’ words in John 14:
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:12-1
