group of people at a table praying over their church leaders

6 Powerful Prayers for Church Leaders and Staff

Are you praying for your church leaders and staff?

If you attend a church, there’s a huge amount of responsibility on your church leaders. Whether their roles are pastor, deacon, team leader, or teacher, it’s certainly a heavy burden to carry.

The good news is that church members can easily bear some of the burdens!  And, the best way to lighten their load is simply to pray. Prayer is the most powerful way to love and serve your church leaders and staff. 

Here are some powerful prayers for church leadership that you can pray over them!

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Praying for Church Leadership and Staff

Why should we pray for our church leadership and staff?

The Bible tells us in James 3:1 that teachers will be judged more strictly.

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

In other words, the leaders in the church must be a godly example for their congregation. If our authority figures fall, the temptation to fall as members will be more likely.

This is why they are held to a higher standard by God. We must be willing to take some of this responsibility off their shoulders and pray consistently for our church leaders and pray for our church overall

Prayer Points for Church Leaders

Some prayer points for church leaders to consider are listed in the Bible. Let’s dive into how we can pray most effectively for those in higher positions of authority.

There are many key attributes of God in this list that our leaders can also obtain with prayer. 

  • Pray for church leaders to gain wisdom from the Word.
  • Pray for church leaders to speak boldly on behalf of the Lord. 
  • Pray for church leaders to have perseverance and courage during difficult times.  
  • Pray for church leaders to honor God in all of their decisions.
  • Pray for church leaders to have patience with members of the church. 
  • Pray for church leaders to lead their congregation on a godly path of righteousness.

Are you looking for some tools and tips to boost your prayer life? If so, be sure to visit our Prayer Resources Library where you’ll find everything you need to become a powerful prayer warrior!

Prayers for Church Leadership

Ready to dive into effective prayers for church leadership? If we take just a minute or two a day to focus on our fearless leaders, just imagine how strong our congregation would be?!!

Let’s bow together as we come before our Lord and ask Him to show mercy on our church as we represent Christ. 

Prayer for Church Leaders

Prayer for Church Leaders to Gain Wisdom

Solomon was the king of the jews and the wisest man who ever lived. We can learn a lot from what he asks from God. He requested God to give him a wise and discerning heart, and every leader should also ask for this blessing from the Lord.  

I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 1 Kings 3:12 NIV

Lord, we ask that you bless our leaders with godly wisdom today and in the years to come. As Solomon requested, the wisest man ever, we also ask for special blessings of discernment over our spiritual guides and leaders. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Leaders

Pray for Church Leaders to Boldly Speak

The church leaders represent the will of the people. When our authority figures boldly speak on our behalf, many godly goals are accomplished. If our leaders are not fearless, the people perish.

If the people of the church listen to God’s commands and are not silent over sin, they must also have bold qualities as they share the Word of God throughout the world and many godless generations. 

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Acts 4:29 NIV

My Master, how bold and courageous you are in your Word! Please grant our church leadership with the same bold and brave spirit to speak your precious Word with clarity and conviction in their own congregations and throughout the world. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer for Church Leaders

Pray for Church Leaders to Be Strong

If our clergymen are weak-kneed and fearful, the church body is also weak. Pray for your authority to be strong and courageous, only fearing the Lord, and no other.

If they are strong, the body of Christ will also be strong and fearless of what men can do to them. 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV

Holy Father, help our leaders to be brave, bold, and on fire for You. You’re the commander of this ship, and we ask that as your sails lead us in the right direction, give us the courage to face what’s coming in the midst of our congregation. In Your most Holy Name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Leaders

Pray for Church Leaders to Honor God

We should always be praying for our leaders to bring glory and honor to God in everything they accomplish. It keeps our clergymen humble and wise.

In addition, when a spiritual leader or teacher always acknowledges that God is the ultimate authority, he will continue to seek His guidance and direction, not his own.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Dear Lord Almighty, you deserve our honor and respect in every situation and we tremble at the thought of your glory and power. We ask that you reveal your honor and glory to our leaders in a most profound way. In Jesus’ powerful Name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Leaders

Pray for Church Leaders to Be Patient

Most churches have at least one member that tends to complain or stir up trouble. While it’s easy to dismiss these people as complainers, our leaders still need the patience to listen and respond as appropriate in a godly manner.

Let’s pray for our leaders to have an abundance of patience as they hear concerns from the congregation on a daily basis. 

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 NIV

Dear Lord, there are many requests that come before our leadership. The burden is heavy to carry and delegate. Grant them patience they need to respond like Jesus in a godly manner that would also represent the congregation. Amen.

Prayer for Church Leaders

Pray for Church Leaders to Lead Righteously

Not only do church leaders lead their congregation, they also lead the home. We should pray for their physical and spiritual needs, along with their families. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear praise from your pastor or teachers on what a great week they had?

If your leaders have God’s peace and joy, they will be refreshed and renewed to make godly decisions overall.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV

Dear Heavenly Father, we ask your hands be upon our church staff as you gently lead them on the right path to righteousness and holiness. We pray your light shines in the right direction so they have peace and joy during their walk with you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Let’s not forget the leaders of our church and the extra amount of responsibility placed upon them. Members of the church can do their part and pray for their peace, boldness, and righteousness as our authority puts on the armor of God against evil and darkness.

The entire church benefits from these powerful and mighty prayers. Remember to continue to lift your church leaders up in prayer in the months and years ahead as they take a bold stand for the Lord. 

And feel free to share these prayers for church leadership images to encourage others to pray for them as well!

And for more ways to pray over your church, be sure to also read:

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Natalie is a wife and homeschool mother to 2 teenagers living in the sunny state of NC. As a minimalist, she enjoys finding ways to make life more simple, yet significant, while serving her Savior through her Christian blogging ministry at Bible Verses for You.

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