Praying for Our Pastor, Part 2

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    Throughout the month of October, I am challenging us to spend focused time in prayer for our pastor.  Do you know that some surveys report that less than half of church-goers pray for their pastor and leadership? This is a tragedy!  It really is no surprise that so much sin has overtaken our churches. Our pastor and leadership team need our prayer. Faithful leaders are enemies of the Prince of Darkness. Let us lift them up before our Father, asking Him to guide and protect them.  

    For Pastor Appreciation month, I am sharing prayer prompts for you to use in your focused prayer time for our pastor.  I encourage you to cover our pastor and leadership team in prayer on a regular basis. You may choose to pray one of these each day, or all of these in a time of extended prayer.  I find these type of prayer prompts helpful at times when my mind is exhausted or overwhelmed with life events. Using Scripture as the structure for my prayer blesses my heart as well. Using Scripture as our basis for prayer gives us confidence that we are requesting what the heart of God desires. Take the time to look up the Scriptures and pray them back to the Lord for our pastor and leadership team. Your heart will be encouraged as you see our Father's love for leaders who faithfully study, lead, teach and minister the gospel of Jesus.

1. Ask God to guard his heart. Pray that he will be morally pure and that he will wear the armor of God so that he will not fall into temptation. (Romans 13:14; 1 Peter 1:16; Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Corinthians 10:4)

2. Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to our pastor and his family to strengthen them for the ministry and provide meaningful fellowship and times of rest. (Philippians 2:19–25)

3. Pray that our pastor will be humble and authentic in his faith, not given to pride or hypocrisy. Pray that he will have pure motives and give God glory for every gain or victory. (Micah 6:8; Galatians 6:14; John 7:17–18; 1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

4. Pray that our pastor will make wise lifestyle choices in order to protect his health. Pray for times of relaxation and renewal to balance the stress of ministry. (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, 9:27)

5. Pray that our pastor will continue to focus on the Word of God and walk in the fear of the Lord—rather than fear of man—as he prepares his messages. Pray that he will seek to please God rather than men and pursue holiness rather than the praise of men. (Acts 6:4, Proverbs 19:23; 2 Timothy 2:15, 4:1–2; Hebrews 11:6)

6. Praise God for our pastor’s leadership and pray that he will make godly decisions. Pray that he will continue to lead with a shepherd’s heart and that he will always speak the truth in love. (1 Kings 3:9; 1 Peter 5:2; Romans 12:6–8; Jeremiah 3:15)

7. Pray that our pastor will be courageous in the pulpit in proclaiming Christ and confident in his use of the Word of God. Ask God to help him preach with insight, transparency, and humility. (Colossians 1:28, 4:3; Ephesians 6:19)

May God bless our church as we join together in Scripture-focused prayer for our pastor this month. 

💓Heather Sparks💓

From the "Praying for your Pastor; 31 Day Prayer Guide" by Life Action Ministries. 

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