Prayers for You as a Pastor

We have published segments of this list of prayers for pastors written by Terry Teykl, based on Scripture, in previous issues of our pastors newsletter.  When we have printed a few, we have had requests for the whole set.  Here are 30 of the prayers.  For more resources from Terry Teykl’s ministry, go to Renewal Ministries.  If you appreciate these prayers, you may want to get a copy of the book referenced below. 

    1. I thank you Father that your eyes are on my shepherd and your ears are attentive to my pastor's prayers and your face is against those who plot evil against my pastor (1 Peter 3:12). For I know that in all things you work for the good of my pastor who loves you (Rom. 8:28).  Will you not graciously give my pastor this city for Christ? And who can accuse this pastor who is daily interceded for by Christ Jesus? (Ro­m. 8:32-34). Therefore, in all things my pas­tor is more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37). Thank you, God.

    2. Lord, we pray for discernment in exposing any schemes of the enemy against our pastor. Show us how to pray against all powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of darkness in heavenly realms. And, Lord, protect us as we wage warfare on behalf of our pastor (Eph. 6:11,12). Amen.

    3. Father, I thank you that no weapons formed against my pastor will prosper. Every tongue raised against my shepherd will be cast down. Rumors and gossip will be turned aside. For my pastor will be still before the Lord and wait on You. My pastor will dwell in the shadow of the Most High God and will be delivered from terror, darts of doubt, and diseases (Psalm 91:5-6). Set your angels about my pastor (Psalm 91:11) and no power of the enemy shall bring harm  (Lk. 10:19). Praise God!

    4. Lord, let my pastor have a discerning mind to prioritize the precious minutes in the day. Let my pastor discern what is most important and be guarded against the tyranny of the urgent (2 Cor. 11:14; 1 John 4:1).

    5. Father, allow my pastor to glory only in the cross (Gal. 6:14). Keep my pastor from pride and pity. Let the cross be our reason for ministry. Amen.

    6. Renew my pastor in the Holy Spirit. Let my pastor wait and mount up with wings (Isaiah 40:27-31). Quicken my shepherd's body with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:11). Renew my pastor’s vi­sion and confidence (1 John 5:13-14). Revive my pastor's boldness to stand in strong personal conviction (Acts 4:32). Amen.

    7. Jesus, keep my pastor holy in every way (1 Pet. 1:16). Protect my shepherd from seducing spirits, especially when he or she is tired and hard-pressed. Give my pastor comrades to help protect my pastor, and to share with in personal holiness (James 4:7). As my pastor draws near to you, draw near to my pastor (James 4:8). Can­cel the power of sin to have no effect (Eph. 1:22). Amen.

    8. I pray that the eyes of my pastor may be enlightened to know the hope to which we are called and know the riches of our glorious inher­itance in the saints. Let my pastor know the in­comparable great power, which is in us who be­lieve (Eph. 1:18-19). Let my pastor see the full revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:12) and place in this pastor a desire to know Christ and the power of his resurrection (Phil. 3:10). Amen.

    9. Lord, deliver my pastor from the tyranny of the unfinished. Grant my pastor a sense of fulfillment and the personal joy of Jesus (1 Tim. 6:6; John 15:11). Amen.

    10. Lord, as our shepherd spends quiet time with you, shed your love abroad in his or her heart. Let my pastor know how much he or she is loved (Rom. 5:5). In Jesus' name let the love of God be my pastor's mainstay in ministry. So be it!

11. Lord, I lift up the hands of my pastor and his or her family. Place them in the shelter of the Most High to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, you are their refuge and fortress. You will preserve their family time. You will cover their home. Your faithfulness will meet their financial needs in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). You will command your angels to guard them as they travel and win the lost. You have said, "I will be with them in trouble; I will deliver them and honor them, and with a long life, I will satisfy them and show them my salvation (Psalm 91).  In Jesus' name I cancel all assign­ments of the enemy against them (Matthew 6:10). Amen.

12. In Jesus' name I speak to church hurts, abuse and ungrateful forces to move. I speak to mountains of criticism and inordinate expecta­tions to be cast into the sea. I speak to stress, excessive phone counseling and fatigue to be cast into the sea, and I believe my pastor’s every need, vi­sion, and dream will be completed (Mark 11:22-24; Philippians 4:19). Amen.

          13. Forgive those who hurt and speak against my pastor, and may my pastor walk in forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32, 5:1). Guard my pastor from futile thinking (Ephesians 4:17) and a vain imagination. Let every thought be taken captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

14. Lord Jesus, I know that in the course of pastoring, my pastor is thrilled over conversions and changed lives, yet I also realize that my pas­tor hears bad news and sad stories and minis­ters to those who are dying. Therefore, keep my shepherd ever before your face in worship (Mat­thew 4:10). Let my pastor see you and enjoy your presence ever more (Psalm 112:7). Let goodness and mercy follow my pastor all the days of his or her life (Psalm 23:6) and let my pastor's cup overflow (Psalm 23:5). Amen.

15. In Jesus' name we bind the fear of fail­ure and the fear of humankind (John 14:1). Let my pastor’s confidence not be eroded by the daily resistance to the gospel or his or her vision. Al­low my pastor to fear God more than people.  Amen.

16. Father, heal my shepherd's heart of any grief caused by ministry. Bestow on my pastor a crown of beauty instead of ashes and anoint him or her with the oil of gladness instead of mourning. Clothe my shepherd with a garment of praise instead of a spirit of depression.  I call my pastor an oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord to display your splendor (Isaiah 61:3). Amen.

17. Jesus, you said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me... Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you" (John 14:1, 27).  Apply these promises to my pastor.  Let my pastor know the plans you have for him or her, plans to prosper, plans to give hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Amen.

18. Keep my pastor in the midst of good and exciting worship. Keep my pastor from the tra­ditions of men and religion, which hold the form of godliness, but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5). Give a vision of heaven (Isaiah 6; Rev­elation 4). Amen.

19. With my shield of faith I cover my shepherd's mind to quench all flaming darts of doubt or vain imagination or mental distractions (Mark 6:5-6). Let the mind of Christ be strong in my pastor. Amen.

20. Lord, I stand against the enemies of my pastors prayer life – “busyness” (Acts 6:2-4), compulsions, compromise (Acts 5), unnecessary phone calls, chronic counselees, fatigue, sleepiness (Matthew 26:41), appetites, television, late meetings, over-commitments and doubt.  Let nothing hinder his/her time with you.  Let my pastor rise up to seek you (Mark 1:35), pray with other pastors (Acts 1:14), and prayer without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Give my pastor the time, the desire and the place to pray (Acts 16:16).  I rebuke, in the name of Jesus, any distractions from my pastor’s devotional life.  (Mark 5:36). Amen.

21.    Send the spirit of prayer upon my pastor (Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:26).  Send others to join praying for him/her (I Tim. 2:1-8).

22.    Lord, keep my pastor in the fear of God.  Let my pastor not fear people (Prov. 19:23).  Give boldness to confront sin and church controllers.  Honor my pastor’s stand for You.  Come to my pastor’s rescue.  I claim Psalm 35 for my shepherd.

23.    Lord, use my pastor to renew our denomination (Prov. 18:16).  Use my pastor in an effective way to promote evangelism and holiness.  Grant favor for fruitfulness.  Keep my pastor from meetings for the sake of meetings.  Redeem the time so as to use my pastor’s abilities in the most productive manner.

24.    Lord, give my pastor favor with his or her peers (Prov. 11:4). Keep my pastor from comparing him or herself with other pastors, churches or salary packages.  Guard my pastor’s heart from competition and unhealthy ambitions (2 Cor. 10:18).  Deliver him/her from the numbers trap, and give my pastor a genuine concern for lost souls (Luke 19:10).  Lord, You advance my pastor.  Let my pastor not be caught up in any political quicksand; keep only Jacob’s ladder, not a career ladder, before my pastor (Gen. 28:12).

25.    Jesus, dominate my shepherd’s ministry to make people become like You and not a denominational facsimile (Col. 1:28).

26.    Give my shepherd deep convictions and moral stands to reflect Your holiness (Prov. 4:20-27).  Let my pastor not compromise truth, yet spread truth in love to address all social injustice and prejudice of any kind.

27.    Let my pastor trust in the Lord whole-heartedly.  In all my pastor’s ways may You be acknowledged and, therefore, my pastor’s paths be made straight (James1:5).

28.    Bless my pastor with rich study time (Acts 6:4; 2 Tim. 2:15).

29.    As my pastor preaches, let him or her proclaim Jesus Christ (Col. 1:28).  Let my pastor’s preaching be in the energy of the Holy Spirit.  May we be presented to You, Father, holy and blameless as a result of my pastor’s preaching.

30.    Jesus, bless my pastor’s preaching.  Let my pastor preach Jesus Christ.  Let my pastor preach a revelation of Christ (1 Peter 1:7).  And give my pastor ample opportunities to proclaim You (Col. 4:3-4).

 -- Excerpted from Your Pastor:  Preyed On or Prayed For by Terry Teykl, Prayer Point Press, 1997.