What is the single best thing church members can do for their pastor? Pray for them.
Any other answer—encourage, attend, serve, give, etc.—are flickering candles when compared to the sun-blazing power of prayer.
The great apostle knew full well the power of prayer. He appealed to the Romans “by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf.” He begged the Ephesians to pray “also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Pastors need the prayers of their people to not only survive in ministry but thrive in faithfulness and fruitfulness.
How to Pray for Your Pastor
I imagine few church members need any convincing of the simple point that pastors need their prayers. Yet, at least in my experience, while convinced of the need to pray for their pastors, church members often think, “What exactly should I pray for?” Of course, the easiest way to find out his prayer needs is to simply ask. Another thing a caring church member could do is peruse the Pastorals and pray for God to give what He commands of pastors. But life is busy and demands are many, so I decided to go ahead and put that list together.
Here then is a list of things you could pray for your pastor and be simultaneously certain of two things: 1) they are in accord with God’s will, and 2) they are things a healthy pastor always desires. Pray that:
- He would warn against false doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3-4).
- He would do all things in love that flows from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5).
- He wages the good warfare and not reject his conscience (1 Tim. 1:18-19).
- He would be active in prayer (1 Tim. 2:1-5).
- He would be above reproach, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, and hospitable (1 Tim. 3:2).
- He would increase in his ability to teach (1 Tim. 3:2).
- He would not give himself to drunkenness, violence, quarrels, or the love of money (1 Tim. 3:3).
- He would love his wife after the model of Christ and faithfully lead his children (1 Tim. 3:4-5).
- He would train himself for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7).
- He would set his hope in the living God (1 Tim. 4:10).
- He would be exemplary in speech, conduct, and purity (1 Tim. 4:12).
- He would devote himself to reading Scripture and preaching Scripture (1 Tim. 4:13).
- He would not neglect his gift (1 Tim. 4:14).
- He would keep a close watch on himself and the teaching (1 Tim. 4:16).
- He would do nothing from partiality (1 Tim. 5:21).
- He would not be hasty in decision-making (1 Tim. 5:22).
- He would grow in contentment (1 Tim. 6:6).
- He would flee sin and pursue righteousness, steadfastness, and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:11).
- He would take hold of the assurance of eternal life in Christ (1 Tim. 6:12).
- He would warn against worldliness and the vanity of money (1 Tim. 6:17).
- He would guard the gospel (1 Tim. 6:20).
- He would not be ashamed of the gospel (2 Tim. 1:8).
- He would joyfully suffer for the gospel (2 Tim. 1:8).
- He would be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:1).
- He would be active in discipling (2 Tim. 2:2).
- He would gain wisdom in everything (2 Tim. 2:7).
- He would rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
- He would avoid gossip (2 Tim. 2:16).
- He would pursue peace (2 Tim. 2:22).
- He would have nothing to do with foolish controversies (2 Tim. 2:23).
- He would be kind to everyone (2 Tim. 2:24).
- He would patiently endure evil (2 Tim. 2:24).
- He would correct with gentleness (2 Tim. 2:25).
- He would avoid false teachers (2 Tim. 3:5).
- He would preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2).
- He would always be ready with the truth (2 Tim. 4:2).
- He would reprove, rebuke, and exhort with patience and clarity (2 Tim. 4:2).
- He would be active in evangelism (2 Tim. 2:5).
- He would be disciplined (Titus 1:8).
- He would hold firm to sound doctrine (Titus 1:9).
- His teaching would be saturated with sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).
- He would disciple all generations to godliness (Titus 2:2-10).
- He would lead with confidence (Titus 2:15).
- He would disciple church members to be ready for every good work (Titus 3:1-8).
- He would be wise in church discipline (Titus 3:10-11).
Take those 45 points and just pray for a few each day. You’ll never know the life it will bring to his soul and to your church as a whole.