How to Pray for Your
Pastor…
1. When you’re in a
hurry: “Lord, Pastor _________________!” God knows the needs of your
pastor. Even a quick intervention deepens your spiritual commitment to your
pastor’s well-being and your relationship with God.
2. When the pastor
seems stressed: “Dear God, I’m not sure what’s happening with Pastor
_________. I ask for your peace to surround him/her and for your presence to be
felt and perceived. May amazing grace be evident to him/her in the week ahead.”
Pastors often have lots on their minds- some things that are public and some
things that are not. Families, plumbing, health issues, money, neighbors-
pastors are people, too, and they need the prayers that they often pray for
you!
3. When you are in
disagreement: “Ruler of the universe, I give you thanks for your Holy
Spirit who brings discernment and guidance to all people. I am grieved at the
division in your church. I seek clarity from your written word and inspiration
from the Living Word. Help Pastor _______ to be open to how you revealing
yourself in truth. Help me to open to new learning and wisdom as well. I ask
this, trusting in your faithfulness to all involved in this conversation.”
Dissention in the church brings grief to pastors. No person wants to fight with
loved ones. Yet, even the most conflict-avoidant people eventually have
disagreements. Your pastor is praying for you in this situation and for how to
be a good pastor. It is good for you to return the effort. It will not go
unnoticed.
4. When something
doesn’t seem right: “Dear God, I renounce the forces that oppose you in the
world. I especially reject any attempts these forces may be making in the life
of my pastor or in the life of his/her family. I ask for the strengthening of
your Holy Spirit in protection and aid and that your enemy would find no
quarter here! Amen!” Your pastor is on the front lines of spiritual life- for
you and for others. Being in front means being at the first line of attack.
Unfortunately, there are spiritual (and material) forces that oppose God’s
desire for wholeness and healing in the world. Your pastor is not immune to
these oppositions. When you pray for God’s protection for a pastor or anyone
else in these situations, you are forming what is called a “prayer covering”.
The more people who join in this type of prayer, with sincerity of heart, the
better for the pastor and for the congregation.
5. When church was
great: “Blessed are you, Creator of the Universe, who has drawn us together
this day to praise your name. Thank you for the songs and the musicians. Thank
you for the readers and the assistants. Thank you for the good news of Jesus
Christ, which brings me hope and confidence again and again. Thank you for our
pastor and his/her sensitivity to your word and will. Praise be to you forever!
Amen.” Or something like that. A prayer of thanksgiving is not nothing and
you’ll remember the 30 seconds you sat in your car, thanking God for church,
longer than you will remember the service.
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