5 Ways I Can Pray for My Pastor

Charles Spurgeon had one of the most fruitful ministries in history. When folks would ask Spurgeon the secret to his success, he was fond of answering with, “my people pray for me.” Here is one story of the value Spurgeon placed upon those praying for him:

“Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, ‘Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?’ They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn't want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, ‘This is our heating plant.’ Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.”

We pastors need your prayer. Here are seven ways you can pray for your pastor.

1. His Own Personal Relationship with Jesus

In 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul spoke of having discipline in his own life so that “having preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” You wouldn’t think it to be possible, but constantly doing ministry and being around “holy things” can actually inoculate us to Christ. We can learn to “fake it,” and frankly we can get away with it for quite a season. Yet, we must have a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus for the sake of our own souls.

Lord,

I pray for my pastor today that you would strengthen his relationship with you. Enliven his heart to the things of Christ. Keep him near you. Help him not to be distracted by the duties of his job but to drink deeply from the well of Christ. Remind him of Your greatness. May his understanding and experience of the gospel be made new today. Help him to know that he is deeply loved and cared for. Remind him that he is a disciple first. Give him eyes to see Jesus every moment of this day,

Amen. 

2. Focus to Keep Prayer and Ministry of the Word Central

In Acts 6 the early church had a bit of disunity. One group of widows were not being cared for as they ought to be. It was an administrative oversight, something which would require much attention. Rather than pulling away the elders to tackle this issue, the church called deacons so that the elders (those dedicated to prayer and ministry of the Word) could focus upon those callings.

There is much on your pastor’s plate each day. Many of these things will have little to do with prayer and ministry of the Word. Pray today that he’ll be able to keep his central duty at the center of his calling.

Father,

I know that today my pastor will have several things which he is called to do. Rescue him from the tug of laziness or the pull of overwork. Keep him focused upon the task at hand. Help him to say “no” to things which aren’t part of his central calling, but help him to continue to have a servant’s heart regardless. Help us as a church body to free him, and other elders, up to engage in prayer and ministry of the Word. Give him a hunger for prayer and a heart for your Word. Center him in these things.

Amen. 

3. Not to Be Discouraged in Doing Good

In Galatians 6:9 we are encouraged to “not become weary in doing good.” That is an ever-present temptation for pastors. There is heartbreak woven into the fabric of pastoral ministry. At times we don’t see the fruit which our ministry is bringing about. Pastors experience a mix of spiritual highs and spiritual lows, often on the same Sunday. Pray today that your pastor would be rescued from weariness and discouragement.

Father,

I pray for my pastor today. I know that there will be things which discourage him. Rescue him from any pride which will cause him to focus too much attention on himself. Help him to measure spiritual fruit correctly. Remind him of why he does ministry. Bring people into his life that will be deeply encouraging to him. Help him to have deep and meaningful relationships with other pastors. Keep him from being weary in doing good. Give him eyes to see eternity and not the present needs staring him down today. May he define success as you define success.

Amen.

4. To Preach Christ and Him Crucified

In 1 Corinthians 2:1, Paul resolved to “know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Just as Paul had many options of what to proclaim while at Corinth, so also your pastor has much material. It’s easier than one might think to drift into moralism, to major in feel-good messages, or to emphasize the pressing political topics of the day. But we pastors should do as Paul did, and stick to the centrality of the gospel in all of our proclamation.

Father,

We are thankful for Christ and Him crucified. We know that the gospel is the foundation of the church, and we know that the gospel is the driving point of every text of Scripture. Help our pastor to be convinced of the necessity of being centered on Christ. Keep him from the temptation of trying to be clever, to come up with new and exciting messages, but give him the encouragement to preach the gospel from every text. Help him to see how the Bible unites in one story. Keep him from being bored with the gospel. Help our church to be enamored with Christ.

Amen! 

5. Physical Health and Family

If the devil finds it difficult to attack a pastor’s morality, he’ll do an end around and attack his family or his own physical health. Though he wasn’t a pastor, we see this with Job. When Job’s own body began to experience the brokenness, he began to crack even more than previously. Pastors can be especially prone to “storing up treasure in heaven” while letting their body decay. Pray today that your pastor will take physical health seriously and will put a priority on the health of his family.

Lord,

We know that your word says that if a man cannot lead his home, then he has no business attempting to lead the church. Keep our pastor qualified in this area, we pray. Help him to prioritize his home, and help us—his congregation—to help him make this a priority. We pray also for his physical health. For things in which he can control, give him resolve and endurance. Help him to see that he does ministry in a jar of clay. May he not overemphasize or underemphasize the importance of his earthly tent. And for those things which he cannot control, we pray for physical healing and strength.

Amen. 

These prayers are only a guide to get you started. One of the benefits of being a pastor is knowing that so many people are praying for me. I bet your pastor is similar. We truly are blessed by your praying for us, and we need it. Let these prayers be a guide to jumpstart a regular practice of praying for your pastor.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Granger Wootz