Pastors are people too. That might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget. We see them every Sunday—buttoned up, Bible in hand, somehow always ready with a word of wisdom or comfort. But behind the sermons, hospital visits, budget meetings, and the 2 a.m. crisis calls… they’re just folks trying to follow Jesus like the rest of us.
I was reminded of this just last week at our church’s sunrise service. Pastor Mark, who’s usually polished and perfectly timed, got completely choked up mid-prayer. Not from emotion—though, sure, there was plenty of that—but from allergies. Yep. The pollen got him good. His eyes were watering, his voice cracking, and we all had a laugh once he admitted he hadn’t taken his allergy meds. But later, as I sipped my second cup of church-basement coffee, I thought: Who’s praying for him? Who’s covering him the way he tries to cover all of us?
So today, I wanna talk like we’re sitting across from each other, coffee in hand, just sharing life. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to pray for our pastors—with sincerity, clarity, and a little bit of humor.
What Does the Bible Say About Praying for Our Pastors?
Alright, let’s not get preachy (pun intended), but the Bible actually gives us a clear nudge when it comes to supporting our spiritual leaders. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Paul writes:
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”
And again in Hebrews 13:17, we’re reminded that these leaders “keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.”
Whew. That’s a heavy load, right?
The point is: pastors aren’t just preaching cute messages. They’re battling for our souls, sometimes without us even knowing. So yes, the Bible is crystal clear—we’re not just supposed to admire them; we’re supposed to pray for them.
So… What Does “Praying for Pastors” Even Look Like?
Good question. It doesn’t have to be fancy or filled with big churchy words. Think of it like this: if your best friend were stepping into something hard—maybe a job interview, surgery, or even just a rough week—you’d pray for strength, peace, protection, and clarity for them, right?
Same thing here.
1. Pray for their hearts
Pastors give so much emotionally and spiritually. They need God to refill them daily. Ask the Lord to protect their hearts from burnout, pride, and loneliness.
2. Pray for their families
Let’s be real—ministry can be tough on marriages and kids. Pray for unity, patience, and for their homes to be a place of peace, not pressure.
3. Pray for wisdom
They’re making decisions constantly—from who to counsel first to how to handle tricky cultural conversations (hello, 2025 election season). Ask God to give them clarity in the chaos.
4. Pray for rest
I once asked Pastor Mark when his “day off” was. He laughed. Like, laughed. Because for many pastors, the concept of rest is fuzzy. Let’s pray they find true Sabbath—time with no pressure, just joy and stillness.
How Do You Pray a Pastoral Prayer?
You might be thinking, I’m not a “prayer warrior.” I don’t know the lingo. That’s okay. Here’s the secret: you don’t need the lingo. You just need to care.
Here’s a simple example:
“God, thank You for Pastor Mark. I don’t even know everything he’s dealing with, but You do. Strengthen him today. Guard his heart. Fill him with joy. Help him love his family well and give him wisdom in every decision. And Lord, give him some solid rest—like real, peaceful, no-emails kind of rest. Amen.”
Simple. Honest. Straight-up.
And hey—if you’re feeling extra, drop them a quick text: “Hey Pastor, just prayed for you today. Hope it’s a good one.” That stuff matters more than we know.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Let’s talk current stuff for a second. Between the swirl of political drama, rising mental health struggles, and a world that seems to be allergic to rest, pastors are walking a tightrope. They’re expected to be spiritual leaders, therapists, culture commentators, and fundraisers—all while trying to keep their own souls anchored.
In fact, just last month, a Barna study showed that over 40% of pastors considered quitting in the past year. Not because they don’t love the church, but because it’s just… a lot.
So yeah. Praying for pastors isn’t just a nice idea. It’s urgent.
Real Talk: My Wake-Up Call
Let me tell you a quick story.
A few years ago, our youth pastor, Jenna, went on a retreat. She left her phone off, and for three days, she didn’t answer anyone. When she came back, I asked her how it went. She said, “It was the first time in years I didn’t feel like I had to be strong for everyone.”
Man… I teared up. It hit me hard. We lean so much on our pastors—we forget they need leaning on too.
That day, I added “pray for our pastors” to my daily list. Right between “don’t forget the laundry” and “drink more water.” Not glamorous, but real.
Final Thoughts (And a Friendly Nudge)
So here’s the deal, friend: let’s be the kind of church family that doesn’t just listen, but lifts. Let’s cover our pastors in prayer—not just when they’re sick or tired, but every single week. Even on the good ones.
Your challenge this week:
Pick one pastor or church leader and pray for them intentionally for the next 7 days. Jot a reminder on your fridge, phone, whatever works. Bonus points if you let them know you’re doing it. I promise, it’ll mean the world.
And hey—if you’ve got a favorite way you pray for your pastors, drop it in the comments. Let’s build each other up.
Because at the end of the day, the people pouring into us need someone pouring into them too. ☕🙏