Pastors and church leaders everywhere need the prayers of their people. The Apostle Paul consistently asked the churches to pray for him and for those who worked beside him, as did the author of Hebrews. Take time not only to read but also to pray these seven Scriptures for pastors and church leaders.
Hebrews 12:17-18 ESV reads, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.”
We all feel the pressures of our times, the divisiveness, the constant need for keen discernment, the dual struggles of pervasive biblical illiteracy and the invasive anti-biblical heresy. Those who lead us, especially younger pastors, feel these pressures, too. Add to that the demands of delivering weekly sermons, ministering to a wide range of congregational needs, spiritual warfare, navigating staff dynamics, and the daily life of caring for their own spiritual growth and family needs, and it’s clear why we should prioritize them in prayer.
A 2026 Barna study suggests that fewer pastors are walking away from their callings as compared to other years since COVID. This is good news, but the study also states, “This decline does not mean the challenges facing pastors have been resolved. A meaningful minority of leaders still feel close to the edge, and younger pastors in particular remain vulnerable to burnout.” The article says that roughly 1 in 4 pastors have considered leaving full-time ministry in the past year! Our prayers are vital in supporting them.
Consider the story of Moses in Exodus17:8-13 during Israel’s battle with the people of Amalek. Moses watched from a hilltop, and whenever he held up the staff of God, the Israelites prevailed. When he dropped his hands, they suffered. After a time, Moses grew weary, so he sat on a stone while Aaron and Hur held up his hands.
Is your pastor or any specific leader of a church ministry weary and in need of your prayers in the midst of the battle for souls? We battle best together, and the Lord loves to hear and answer our prayers.
Here are seven Scriptures to pray for pastors and church leaders:
1. Pray for boldness and clarity of teaching for pastors.
Paul asked for this prayer in Ephesians 6:19-20. A prayer for your pastor or church leaders based on this Scripture could be:
Lord, give effective words to our pastor and leaders when they open their mouths to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which they (and we) are ambassadors. Whether speaking with one person or preaching/writing to many, give them strength of heart, courage of conviction, discerning wisdom, and gracious speech that reflects Your love and truth. Amen.
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2. Pray for open doors for the gospel.
Even when Paul was imprisoned, his heart was that the gospel would spread and that Satan would not be able to hinder that work (Colossians 4:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 3:1). We can pray this, too, for our pastor and for the leaders of all the churches in our region.
Father, hear our prayer for our pastor and for every church leader in (name your city, county, state, or nation), that Your Word may speed ahead of them and be honored when they speak about the gospel. Open a door to the gospel in our area that no evil force can close for our church leaders and us to declare the mystery of Christ with our words and with our lives. May your Holy Spirit open hearts and draw many to repentance and into saving relationships with Jesus Christ so that our churches are full and the gospel flourishes in our times. Amen.
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3. Pray for a guarded heart and personal integrity for your pastor.
When pastors and church leaders fall into discouragement, depression, doubt, or even public sin, many souls are damaged within the church and outside the church walls. Pray this prayer for your own leaders and for those of neighboring churches based on Proverbs 4:23 and 1 Timothy 4:16.
Lord, have mercy on our church leaders and our pastors, that they would, as the proverb says, keep their hearts with all vigilance and so flow with springs of life. Like Paul’s counsel to Timothy, we ask that they would keep close watch on their lives and their teaching and persist in this that they may save both themselves and those who hear their words and teaching. Hear our prayer in Jesus’s name, Amen.
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4. Pray for willing, humble shepherd’s hearts.
All of us are subject to temptation and we have individual weaknesses the enemy is determined to exploit. Pray this then, for your pastor, in accordance with Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 5:2-4.
Father, we pray for our pastor to shepherd us well, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as you would have him, and not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over us, but being an example to us all. We pray that when You appear, our pastor will receive the unfading crown of glory. Let us be a joy to lead with ears that hear all you have to offer through the pastor’s words. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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5. Pray for strength against weariness and burnout.
Large churches often have many staff members to shoulder the burdens of many ministries, while small churches, though containing fewer people, often have only one or two pastoral staff, with church leadership rotating among the few who are called and willing. Leaders in both situations can be subject to burnout. Pray for them with the words of Galatians 6:9 and Isaiah 40:29-31.
Lord, help our pastor and church leaders to not grow weary in doing good. Help them remember they will be rewarded in due season if they do not give up. Send them strong encouragement now, Father. Give power to them when they are faint, and when they feel no might, increase their strength. Have mercy on them when they are weary and exhausted. Help them persevere to wait for You and trust that you shall renew their strength and they shall mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Make us sensitive to their need to rest and help us respond to calls for assistance quickly and with cheerful hearts. Amen.
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6. Pray for pastors to be protected from spiritual attack and opposition.
Peter warns us that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Pray using the words of 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 that your pastor and church leaders are defended against these attacks.
Lord, hear our prayer for mercy and strength for our pastors and leaders. We pray that they may be delivered from wicked and evil people who would seek to discourage or even destroy Your work. Defend them against all spiritual attacks and remind them that You are faithful. Establish them and guard them against the evil one who has been defeated in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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7. Pray for pastors' families and for their own walk with God.
Church leaders’ families are under many of the same demands as they are and, depending on personality or stage of life, may be feeling that pressure even more. Pray for them using Paul’s words in Colossians 1:9-11.
Father, we pray your blessing, protection, and refreshment on our pastor and church leader’s families, asking that they may be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing You. We ask, too, that they would always be bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in their knowledge of You, being strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.
Use your words often, not only to pray, but also to encourage those who lead. If you have been blessed by their teaching or ministry, let them know. If you appreciate an aspect of their character or their approach to the work, say so. If you are grateful God sent them to minister to you, don’t wait until their good-bye party to thank them for all they do. Let the pastors and leaders know you pray for them and encourage them with Scriptures as they encourage you.
We are not all called to preach or to lead, but like Aaron, Hur, and the first churches planted by the apostles, we can all support those who do.
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Originally published Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
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