praying for your pastor

Many churches celebrate “clergy appreciation month” in October, and it has me thinking about different ways to support and encourage my pastor. Often, we collect money for gifts of appreciation, and that’s a lovely thing to do. But I can’t help but think that setting a habit of praying for your pastor regularly would be the best gift of all.

Let’s think about the role of a pastor in our lives and explore some ideas about how to pray for them effectively.

The role of a pastor

Pastors have a lot on their plate, and we count on them for a variety of different things. There are the obvious things, like preaching, teaching, visiting at the hospital or at homes, and overseeing the running of the church. But there is so much more that we don’t see. The praying, planning, organizing, guiding the staff, and casting a vision for the church, among other things. On top of that, we tend to hold pastors and their families to higher standards. We expect them to be there for us always, but we don’t always think about how we should be there for them.

Indeed, pastors care for us, encourage us, teach us, grieve with us, and celebrate with us. Let’s be intentional about lifting them up and giving them space to be their authentic selves.

Prompts for praying for your pastor

Consider asking God to work in your pastor’s life in these areas:

• strength and good health
• wisdom, inspiration, insight, and guidance
• spiritual depth
• fruit of the Spirit
• integrity and courage
• fruitfulness in preaching and teaching
• strong friendships and family relationships
• productive and encouraging times with their staff and church leaders
• discernment in decision-making
• community impact
• healthy boundaries
• protection from discouragement and burnout
• joy in ministry
• rest and renewal

Using scripture when praying for your pastor

I love the idea of using Bible passages as the basis of our prayers. Sometimes I use the exact verse and simply insert the name of the person for whom I’m praying. Sometimes I borrow phrases from the passage and use them as a framework for the prayer. Here are some passages that might work well for this purpose:

Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.

3 John 1:2
Dear friend, I’m praying that all is well with you and that you enjoy good health in the same way that you prosper spiritually.

James 1:5
But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.

Colossians 1:9
Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we haven’t stopped praying for you and asking for you to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Philippians 2:1–2
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other.

Matthew 11:28–30
Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.

Psalm 23:1–3
The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. God lets me rest in grassy meadows and leads me to restful waters; God keeps me alive. God guides me in proper paths for the sake of God’s good name.

Ephesians 3:16–19
I ask that God will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of God’s glory through the Spirit. I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.

Psalm 1:2–3
Instead of doing those things, these persons love the Lord’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds.

Galatians 6:9
Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.

Luke 5:16
But Jesus would withdraw to deserted places for prayer.

For more information about praying scripture, check out my blog post dedicated to the topic.

A sample prayer

Loving God, thank you for the gift of our pastor, for the calling you placed on their life, and for the ways they serve with courage, compassion, and faithfulness. I lift them to you today, asking that you would surround them with your strength, wisdom, and peace.

Renew their strength when they grow weary, and let them soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). Guard their health—body, mind, and spirit—so that they may continue to serve with energy and joy (3 John 1:2).

Grant them wisdom from above. Wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy (James 1:5). Guide every decision they make, and make their paths straight as they trust in you. Work in and through them to fully develop the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

Bless their relationships with family, friends, and fellow staff members. May their home be a place of peace, love, and laughter (1 Timothy 3:4–5). May their team be united in heart and purpose, encouraging one another to love and do good (Philippians 2:1–2).

Keep their soul rooted deeply in your presence.

Let them be like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season and never withering (Psalm 1:2–3). May your Word dwell richly in them and go forth through their preaching with power and purpose (2 Timothy 4:2).

Protect their heart from discouragement and burnout. Remind them that even when outer strength fades, you are renewing them day by day. Let them not grow weary in doing good, knowing that in due time, a harvest will come (Galatians 6:9).

Give them time and space for rest. Lead them beside still waters. Restore their soul (Psalm 23:2–3). Help them set healthy boundaries, just as Jesus withdrew for prayer and renewal (Luke 5:16).

May your Spirit fill them with joy and resilience, and may their ministry bear fruit in the church and the wider community. May they always know they are loved, supported, and surrounded in prayer. Amen.

Carrying out your prayer commitment

What would you think about a short session of prayer for your pastor each day? You could divide up the prayer areas and focus on two of them each day of the week.

Alternatively, you could commit to a longer prayer time just once each week and cover more of the areas at once such as in the sample prayer above. In any case, regular words of encouragement via conversation, note, text, or email let your pastor know you’re praying for them.

What are some other ways you might support your pastor?

Are you looking for more ideas, or do you have some of your own? Please share your thoughts in the comments! I can’t help but think that small, simple acts of kindness provide encouragement. Dropping off a snack, coffee, or gift card for a treat. Taking time to offer words of affirmation. Sending an uplifting card, text, or email. Offering to meet for lunch or coffee. Reaching out to your pastor’s family members with a show of friendship. It’s important to show people we care. That we appreciate them. Let’s try to do that this week!

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Fondly,

Crysti