Why Your Prayers Matter

The Lord has given pastors and elders to equip the saints and build up the body of Christ, and your intercession is part of His design to sustain them (Ephesians 4:11–12). Scripture is completely true and fully sufficient, and it commands us to uphold those who labor over our souls (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13).

Prayer is not a courtesy. It is partnership in the gospel and protection in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:10–20). “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Pray for Holy Character and Integrity

God requires overseers and deacons to be above reproach, self-controlled, faithful, and hospitable, managing their homes well (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). Pray that your leaders walk in the fear of the Lord, not the fear of man, with consciences kept clear by the Word and the Spirit (Acts 24:16; Psalm 19:9).

Leaders will be judged more strictly, so pray that their private lives honor Christ and their public lives commend the gospel (James 3:1; 1 Peter 1:15).

- Purity of heart and body, with swift repentance when tempted (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5; 1 John 1:9)

- Truthfulness and transparency in speech and decisions (Ephesians 4:25)

- Financial integrity and careful stewardship (2 Corinthians 8:21)

- A teachable spirit and humble accountability with fellow elders (Proverbs 9:9; Galatians 2:11–14)

Pray for a Word-Centered Ministry

Christ feeds His church through the faithful preaching and teaching of Scripture. Pray your pastor will preach the Word, ready in season and out, with patience and clarity (2 Timothy 4:2). Ask that the Lord protect him from error, novelty, and distraction, and anchor him in the whole counsel of God (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 20:27).

Intercede for the hearers as well. The Word must be received with faith and obedience for the church to be built up (James 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

- Illumination by the Spirit in study and sermon preparation (Ephesians 1:17–19)

- Boldness with gentleness, truth with love (Ephesians 6:19; 4:15)

- Fruit that remains and disciples who mature (John 15:16; Colossians 1:28–29)

Pray for a Deepening Life of Prayer

Those who lead must first be led by God. Pray that your leaders pursue the Lord in secret, not merely in public ministry, and that their work flows from communion with Christ (Matthew 6:6; Acts 6:4).

Ask the Lord to guard their schedules for unhurried prayer and Scripture meditation, and to teach them to depend on Him in all things (Psalm 119:97–104; Colossians 4:2–4).

- Regular times of intercession for the flock by name (1 Samuel 12:23)

- Fasting as God leads, with integrity and joy (Matthew 6:16–18)

- Sensitivity to the Spirit’s promptings and promises (Romans 8:14; 2 Peter 1:4)

Pray for Protection and Courage

Shepherds face schemes of the devil, wolves that distort the truth, and pressures that aim to silence the gospel (Ephesians 6:11; Acts 20:28–30). Pray for a guarded mind, a pure heart, and discernment that exposes lies and strengthens faith (2 Corinthians 2:11; 10:4–5).

Courage is essential. Ask the Lord to make them steadfast and unafraid, even under criticism or suffering, bearing reproach for Christ with joy (Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7; Acts 4:29–31).

- Protection from temptation, scandal, and slander (1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 31:20)

- Health and stamina for long obedience (3 John 2)

- Deliverance from wicked and unreasonable men (2 Thessalonians 3:1–2)

Pray for Family and Personal Health

The home is a proving ground for leadership. Pray for strong marriages, wise parenting, and Christlike tenderness that adorns the gospel at home (1 Timothy 3:4–5; Ephesians 5:25–28).

Ask for rest, refreshment, and healthy rhythms. Even faithful servants need to come away and rest, lest they burn out or lose heart (Mark 6:31; 1 Kings 19:5–8).

- Unhurried time with spouse and children

- Wise boundaries with technology and availability

- Pastoral friendships that encourage and sharpen (Proverbs 27:17)

Pray for Shepherding Wisdom and Love

Pastors are called to know, feed, and guard the flock under God’s care (1 Peter 5:1–4; Acts 20:28). Pray for wisdom from above that is pure, peaceable, and open to reason, especially in counseling, hospital visits, and crisis moments (James 1:5; 3:17–18).

Ask for gentle firmness when correction is needed and tears when the sheep suffer, that truth and tenderness walk together (2 Timothy 2:24–25; Romans 12:15).

- Skill to apply Scripture to complex situations

- Patience with the weak and wayward (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

- Faithful practice of church discipline with holiness and hope (Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1)

Pray for Team Unity and Multiplication

A healthy church flourishes under a unified plurality of elders and faithful deacons (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:8–13). Pray that leaders walk in mutual submission, free from rivalry and vain ambition, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit (Philippians 2:2–3; Ephesians 4:3).

Ask the Lord to raise up more laborers, including missionaries and church planters, entrusted with sound doctrine and a shepherd’s heart (2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 13:2–3).

- Shared convictions rooted in Scripture

- Courageous but charitable decision-making

- Intentional mentoring pipelines for future leaders

Pray for Evangelistic Zeal and Mission

Leaders model and mobilize mission. Pray for open doors for the word, clarity of speech, and boldness in witness at home and to the nations (Colossians 4:3–4; Matthew 28:18–20).

Ask God for conversions, baptisms, and multiplying disciple-makers. Pray that the church is equipped to adorn the gospel in everyday life and to suffer well for Christ when necessary (Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:3).

- Love for the lost and compassion without compromise

- Strategic partnerships and sending strength (Philippians 1:5)

- Faithful care for the persecuted and poor (Hebrews 13:3; Galatians 2:10)

Pray for Endurance, Joy, and Reward

Ministry often unfolds through tears and toil. Pray that your leaders do not grow weary in doing good, fixing their eyes on Jesus, enduring for the joy set before them (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:1–3).

Ask for joy in Christ that strengthens them and for hope in the unfading crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd appears (Nehemiah 8:10; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Corinthians 15:58).

- Gratitude that fortifies the heart (Colossians 3:15–17)

- Freedom from cynicism and bitterness (Hebrews 12:15)

- A sustained sense of calling and privilege in serving Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1)

Simple Rhythms for Consistent Prayer

Build habits that keep leaders before the throne with regularity and faith.

- Assign each weekday to a category: Word, prayer life, family, protection, mission

- Keep a printed list of leaders and their families and rotate daily

- Pray Scripture over them, inserting names into passages like Psalm 23; Ephesians 3:14–21; Colossians 1:9–12

- Fast one meal per week for your leaders and text a brief encouragement afterward

- Form a small prayer band to intercede monthly for elders and deacons, keeping confidences and guarding unity

- Mark the church calendar with seasons of focused prayer during retreats, campaigns, and mission trips

Christ hears and answers. Your steady intercession strengthens those who strengthen you.

Pray biblically through failure and discipline. Scripture requires careful process, impartiality, and public rebuke when necessary, for the sake of the flock and the fear of God (1 Timothy 5:19–21). Ask for repentance that bears fruit, truth that is not minimized, and protection for the vulnerable and wounded (Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 7:10–11).

Pray for wise shepherds to guide the church through grief and restoration, avoiding gossip while pursuing righteousness and peace (Proverbs 10:19; Romans 14:19).

Convictions, Qualifications, and Order

Pray that churches uphold the clear qualifications for overseers and deacons without bending to cultural pressures (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Ask for hearts that honor God’s good order in the home and church and for joyful obedience to His Word, which is wholly true and wholly good (Psalm 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Pray for training pipelines that prioritize character and doctrine over charisma, and that churches examine candidates soberly and prayerfully (1 Timothy 5:22).

The Pressures of Bi-Vocational Service

Many elders serve while working full-time jobs. Pray for wise time management, understanding employers, and congregations that help shoulder the load (Acts 20:34–35; Galatians 6:2).

Ask the Lord to multiply their hours, guard their families, and provide financial stability with contentment (Philippians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 6:6–10).

Navigating Government and Public Witness

Pray for leaders to shepherd faithfully under civil authorities, honoring rulers while fearing God above all (Romans 13:1–7; Acts 5:29). Ask for wisdom in matters of religious liberty, public speech, and cultural engagement with grace and truth (Titus 3:1–2; John 1:14).

Intercede for peace that advances gospel mission and for courage when obedience to Christ brings cost (1 Timothy 2:1–2; 1 Peter 3:14–16).

Spiritual Warfare in Detail

Pray through the armor of God on behalf of your leaders, piece by piece, that they stand firm and advance the gospel (Ephesians 6:10–20). Name specific strongholds that often assault shepherds: pride, discouragement, lust, isolation, and unbelief (1 Peter 5:8–9; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

Ask for vigilant watchfulness, timely confession, and deep accountability that keeps short accounts with God and man (James 5:16; Psalm 139:23–24).

Guarding the Means of Grace

Pray that pastors faithfully administer baptism and the Lord’s Supper according to Scripture, instructing the church to partake worthily and with discernment (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32). Ask for reverent worship that is regulated by the Word, not by novelty or trend (John 4:24; Colossians 3:16).

Intercede for a church culture where the ordinary means of grace are prized over pragmatism and where Christ remains preeminent (Colossians 1:18).

Money, Integrity, and Mission

Ask God to keep leaders free from the love of money and to provide abundantly for every good work (Hebrews 13:5; 2 Corinthians 9:8). Pray for transparent processes, faithful deacons, and wise counsel in budgets and campaigns (Acts 6:3; Proverbs 11:14).

Intercede for generosity toward missions, mercy ministry, and the poor, with integrity in every transaction (Galatians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 8–9).

Unity Across Generations and Ethnicities

Pray for leaders to shepherd a genuinely multi-generational and multi-ethnic people in Christ, pursuing reconciliation rooted in the cross and truth (Ephesians 2:14–16; Revelation 7:9–10). Ask for humility to listen, courage to teach, and wisdom to lead toward real unity, not superficial uniformity (Philippians 2:1–4).

Pray that love abounds with knowledge and discernment, so that the church approves what is excellent (Philippians 1:9–10).

Church Discipline and Peace

Pray for courage to address divisiveness, false teaching, and scandal with biblical clarity and pastoral care (Titus 3:10–11; Romans 16:17–18). Ask for the restoration of the repentant and the protection of the flock, so that peace and purity advance together (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15; 1 Corinthians 5:4–7).

Intercede for congregations to submit to Scripture and to their leaders, that their work be a joy and not a burden (Hebrews 13:17).

Succession and Finishing Well

Pray for older pastors to finish with faith and integrity, and for wise succession that honors Christ and safeguards the flock (2 Timothy 4:6–8; Psalm 71:17–18). Ask God to raise up faithful men to carry the baton, tested and affirmed by the church (Numbers 27:18–23; 2 Timothy 2:2).

Intercede for a smooth handoff marked by unity, gratitude, and renewed mission.

Personal Devotion Habits that Sustain Leaders

Ask that leaders delight in Scripture daily, not only professionally but personally, feasting on God’s Word and abiding in Christ (Psalm 1; John 15:4–5). Pray for rhythms of prayer, reading, and rest that anchor their souls in grace.

Intercede for wise spiritual direction and retreats that tune their hearts to the Lord’s voice (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16).

Technology, Speech, and Public Temptations

Pray for restraint and wisdom in social media and public communication, that words build up and adorn the doctrine of God (James 1:19; Proverbs 15:1). Ask for protection from snares of comparison, outrage, and distraction.

Intercede for courage to speak truthfully, graciously, and seasonably in a volatile age (Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 25:11).

Global Partners and Sending Churches

Pray for pastors to care for missionaries well, to send wisely, and to strengthen the bonds of gospel partnership across the world (Acts 13:1–3; 3 John 8). Ask for protection, provision, and perseverance for those sent and for fruitful reports that stir faith at home (Acts 14:27–28).

Intercede for unreached peoples and open doors that no one can shut, to the glory of Christ among all nations (Revelation 3:7–8; Psalm 67).