Praying for Your Pastor - Part I: Why Your Pastor Needs Your Prayers
Last month, our church experienced a season of prayer and fasting. It was a powerful time to seek the Lord and ask Him to move in our lives, families, and church. But during that time, I was convicted of something: I wasn’t praying for my pastor as much as I should have been. Although I prayed for him regularly, I didn't have the discipline or rhythm to do so.
That realization hit hard. As someone who has been in ministry for years, I know firsthand the weight of leadership. Pastors carry burdens that most people never see—spiritual battles, discouragement, and expectations that feel impossible to meet. And yet, in my own prayers, I had unintentionally overlooked one of the people who needed it most.
Maybe you’ve done the same. Maybe you assume your pastor is strong enough, close enough to God, or supported enough by others. But the truth is, pastors are struggling. With a quick Google search, here are some statistics that are alarming:
42% of pastors have considered quitting in the past year.
70% regularly battle depression or burnout.
50% say they feel unable to meet their congregation’s expectations.
1 in 10 Pastors will retire as a Pastor
Many pastors feel lonely, exhausted, and spiritually drained.
The pressures of ministry aren’t just heavy—they’re relentless. The enemy knows that if he can take down a pastor, he can impact an entire church. That’s why your prayers matter more than you realize. So, this is the first of 5 total posts that can be formed as a guide to praying for your pastor. You can use this as a recurring weekly prayer rhythm to consistently pray for your pastor.
How Should We Pray for Our Pastors?
If you want to start praying more intentionally for your pastor, here’s a simple framework to guide you:
Protection – Ask God to guard their heart, mind, and family from spiritual attack. (John 17:15)
Wisdom – Pray for discernment as they make decisions that impact the church and their own walk with God. (James 1:5)
Strength – Ministry is draining. Pray that God renews their energy and passion. (Isaiah 40:31)
Joy – Pastors need encouragement, too. Pray that they experience deep joy in their calling. (Philippians 4:4)
A Prayer for Your Pastor
Father, I lift up my pastor to You today. Strengthen him when he feels weary. Protect his heart and mind from discouragement and attack. Give him wisdom to lead well and make decisions that honor You. Fill him with joy in his calling and surround him with people who encourage and support him. Help me to be one of those people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This is just the beginning. In the next post, we’ll look at how to pray for your pastor’s personal walk with God—because ministry isn’t just about serving others; it’s about abiding in Christ.
Will you commit to praying for your pastor this week? Let him know. A simple “I’m praying for you” can mean more than you realize.