There is power in using scriptures to pray for pastors and church leaders!
As leaders of God’s people, pastors often face criticism, opposition, and discouragement. The calling to teach and shepherd others is honorable; however, it also comes with a price.
Our pastors need our prayers. God wants to empower and equip pastors to guide his flock, and our prayers can help these servants faithfully fulfill God’s calling.
Above all else, our pastors need us to pray for God’s love to direct their lives. The greatest command is to love God, and when our pastors love God with their whole hearts, the rest of their lives will bear fruit (see Luke 10:27).
Our pastors also need us to pray for their hearts to remain soft. They need prayers for wisdom, strength, and endurance.
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Scriptures to Pray for Pastors
By praying Scripture over our pastors, we can rest assured that we are praying according to God’s will.
God wants our pastors to serve him with pure hearts. He wants our pastors to set an example for others to follow.
Let’s look at 21 Scriptures to pray over pastors.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
Giving thanks for your pastor is a great way to begin your prayers. Also, according to the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy, pray that your pastor will remain godly and dignified in the work of the Lord.
Pray for your pastor’s character to match the high calling of teaching God’s Word.
Exodus 18:21
“Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Exodus 18:21
God wants our leaders to be trustworthy and filled with integrity. We can pray that our pastors will walk in integrity at all times—being the same in the presence of others and behind closed doors.
Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
Ask the Lord to protect your pastor from spiritual attacks. Pray for your pastor to stand firm in the armor of God and resist the devil.
Also, pray for discernment as your pastor recognizes the spiritual nature of opposition and personal attacks.
Proverbs 11:14
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14
Ask God to surround your pastor with godly counsel, sincere friends, accountability partners, and strong support systems. When pastors fall away from the Lord, this often happens because of the isolation that comes with leadership.
Hebrews 13:7
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7
Pray that your pastor will live a life worthy of imitation. Ask God to help your pastor cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Christ. From this relationship, ministry thrives.
Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17
Pray that your pastor will find joy in the work of serving others. Pray for a sense of purpose and fulfillment to flow from serving God.
Ask God to move the hearts of your pastor’s congregation and pray that these people will have humble and teachable spirits.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Pray for your pastor to model the key components necessary for blessing: humbly calling on the Lord, praying and seeking his face, and repentance.
Pray that your pastor’s example will lead to blessing and revival as others follow this pattern.
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
When discouragement comes, pray that your pastor will not grow weary in doing good.
Pray for the hope that comes from standing on God’s promises, and pray for your pastor’s heart to be filled with expectation while watching for God to move.
1 Peter 5:3
“Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:3
Pray that your pastor will lead from a spirit of compassion and humility, not domineering over others, but being an example of Christlike love.
Ask God to give your pastor a servant’s heart—eager to bless and serve others.
Matthew 6:9-13
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” Matthew 6:9-13
The Lord’s prayer is a powerful prayer to pray over our leaders. When we follow Jesus in praying this prayer, we ask for God to use our pastors to bring his kingdom to pass on earth.
We pray for God to meet our pastor’s needs, forgive them, keep them from temptation, and deliver them from evil.
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2
Ask God to fill your pastor’s mind with his Word so that your pastor will be always prepared to lead others to the unchanging Word of Truth.
Pray that your pastor will use God’s word to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. Also, pray that these incitements would be motivated by love and mercy.
Romans 16:17-18
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Romans 16:17-18
Ask God to give your pastor wisdom for dealing with people who cause divisions and stand against sound doctrine.
Pray for God’s protection from people who aim to serve themselves instead of serving Christ.
Also, pray for protection against any attacks that could diminish or hinder God’s work through your pastor’s ministry.
Luke 22:26
“But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” Luke 22:26
Ask God to continually give your pastor childlike faith—faith that trusts God with abandon and does not question God’s character or authority.
Pray that this faith will lead to humble service and create a powerful example for others to follow.
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5
Ask God to give your pastor supernatural wisdom for dealing with challenges and difficult situations. Pray for wisdom as your pastor counsels, shepherds, and encourages others in the faith.
2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Pray for your pastor to handle God’s Word with wisdom.
Pray your pastor will not be ashamed to testify to God’s character and pray for God’s favor and divine guidance to direct your pastor’s footsteps.
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Ask God to provide for all of your pastor’s personal needs.
Pray for protection over your pastor’s family, finances, home, and closest relationships. Ask God to sustain your pastor’s health and surround your pastor like a shield.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Pray that your pastor will seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness before all other things.
Pray for God’s blessings and provision to follow this single-minded pursuit.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Pray against the spirits of fear and intimidation.
Pray that God will strengthen, help, and uphold your pastor. Also, pray for your pastor to have a strong sense of God’s presence and his love.
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Ask God to help guard your pastor’s heart and purity. Pray for your pastor to have a pure heart, clean hands, and a surrendered spirit. From this purity of heart, ask God to draw multitudes into his love.
Psalm 78:72
“With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” Psalm 78:72
Ask God to help your pastor shepherd and guide others with an upright heart.
Pray that your pastor will be a vessel of God—the conduit from which God’s truth and his Words flow from the throne of heaven into the hearts of humankind.
Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
Ask God to give your pastor a soft heartbroken and malleable.
Pray that your pastor’s heart will remain teachable, submissive to the Lord, and open to God’s direction.
Pray for a heart that passionately intercedes for the people and seeks after God with utmost devotion and fervor.
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God wants to fill your pastor with wisdom and strength. He wants to bless your pastor with perseverance and the hope that comes from experiencing an intimate relationship with Christ.
Consider praying these Scriptures over your pastor weekly. Additionally, search God’s Word for Scriptures about integrity, faithfulness, and servant leadership, and add these verses to your prayers.
Most of all, keep praying for your pastor and your pastor’s family. God is pleased when we pray for our leaders. Praying for those who carry God’s Word to others is a vital part of ministering to the world.
