Terry Teykl

Pastors are under attack today as never before. That is why it is so important to hold them up in prayer. But unless they have requests or are aware of specific needs their pastors have, many people do not know what to pray on a regular basis for them.

Here are some sample Scripture-based prayers. Each one was written with a specific need in mind. You can use them one at a time, or pray all of them in the order you feel is best for the spiritual needs of your pastor.

These prayers are simply models and suggestions. Use them to get started or to get ideas about what to pray.

Sample Prayers

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 Pet. 3:12 ). For I know that in all things You work for the good of _____ (insert your pastor’s name) who loves You (Ro. 8:28 ). Who can accuse this pastor who is daily interceded for by Christ Jesus? (Ro. 8:33-34 ). Therefore, in all things my pastor is more than a conqueror (Ro. 8:37 ). Thank You, God.

Lord, I pray for discernment in exposing any schemes of the enemy against my pastor. Show our congregation 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 ).

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 _____ 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 (Ps. 91:5-6 ). Set Your angels about my pastor (Ps. 91:11 ) and no power of the enemy shall harm _____ (Lk. 10:19 ). Thank God forevermore!

Lord, let _____ 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 Jn. 4:1 ).

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

Renew my pastor in the Holy Spirit. Let my pastor wait and mount up with wings (Is. 40:27-31 ). Quicken my shepherd’s body with the Holy Spirit (Ro. 8:11 ). Renew _____’s vision and confidence (1 Jn. 5:13-14 ).

Jesus keep my pastor holy in every way (1 Pet. 1:16 ). Protect my shepherd from seducing spirits especially when he/she is tired and hard-pressed. Give _____ comrades to help protect him/her, and to share with in personal holiness (Jas. 4:7 ). As my pastor draws near to You, draw near to my pastor (Jas. 4:8 ).

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 _____ see the full revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:12 ). Place in him/her a desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Phil. 3:10 ).

Lord, as my shepherd spends quiet time with You, shed Your love abroad in his/her heart. Let my pastor know how much he/she is loved (Ro. 5:5 ). In Jesus’ name let the love of God be my pastor’s mainstay in ministry. So be it!

Lord, I lift up the hands of my pastor and his/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 (Phil. 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]. With a long life, I will satisfy [them] and show [them] my salvation” (Ps. 91:15-16 ). In Jesus’ name I cancel all assignments of the enemy against them.

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 every need, vision, and dream of _____’s will be completed (Mk. 11:22-24 , Phil. 4:19 ).

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

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

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/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 (Is. 61:3 ).

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” (Jn. 14:1 , 27 ). Apply these promises to _____. Let my pastor know the plans You have for him/her, plans to prosper, plans to give hope and a future(Jer. 29:11 ).

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 Tim. 3:5 ). Give _____ a vision of heaven (Isaiah 6 , Revelation 4 ).

With my shield of faith I cover my shepherd’s mind to quench all flaming darts of doubt or vain imagination or mental distractions (Eph. 6:16 , Col. 2:6-8 ). Let the mind of Christ be strong in my pastor (1 Cor. 2:16 ).

Lord, I stand against the enemies of my pastor’s prayer life: “busyness” (Acts 6:2-4 ), compulsions, compromise (Acts 5 ), unnecessary phone calls, chronic counselees, fatigue, sleepiness (Mt. 26:41 ), appetites, television, late meetings, over-commitments, and doubt. Let nothing hinder _____’s time with You. Let my pastor rise up to seek You (Mk. 1:35 ), pray with other pastors (Acts 1:14 ), and pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 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.

Send the spirit of prayer upon _____ (Acts 1:8 , Ro. 8:26 ). Send others to join us in praying for our pastor (1 Tim. 2:1-8 ).

God, I say that _____ will stand firm. Nothing will move my pastor (1 Cor. 15:58 ). May my pastor always give himself/herself fully to Your work because my pastor’s labor is not in vain.

Lord, keep my pastor from comparing himself/herself with other pastors, churches, or salary packages. Guard my pastor’s heart from competition and unhealthy ambitions (2 Cor. 10:18 ). Deliver _____ from the numbers trap, and give my pastor a genuine concern for lost souls (Lk. 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 ).

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

As _____ preaches, let him/her proclaim Jesus Christ (Col. 1:28 ). Let my pastor’s preaching be in the energy of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, by Your Holy Spirit, anoint _____ to preach, and bring apostolic results (Acts 2:37 ). As my pastor speaks the Word, let signs and wonders follow confirming it (Mk. 16:20 ). Let the sick be healed; let the oppressed be set free. Anoint _____ with the truth (Mt. 16:17 ). Let people be cut to the heart and accept Jesus Christ.

Lord, as You have promised, grant my beloved shepherd lasting fruit (Mal. 3:11 , Jn. 15:16 ). Let my pastor’s converts become disciples who in turn disciple. Bless my pastor with disciples who grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

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.

O Lord, take my pastor’s hand so that he/she will not fear. Lead my pastor through difficult times. Let my pastor know that You are near and that You are his/her God. My pastor will not be dismayed. You will strengthen my pastor and help and uphold him/her with Your righteous right hand (Is. 41:10 ).

O God, allow _____ to enter Your rest (Hebrews 4 , Mt. 11:28 ). Put Your yoke on my pastor. When my pastor is heavily laden or burdened, may he/she find comfort and peace in You, refreshed and renewed by Your power in every aspect of his/her life.

Lord, make my pastor strong and filled with courage for every task (Joshua 1 ). let my pastor lead us to inherit our city for You. Thank You for being with _____.

In Jesus’ name, _____ shall fight the good fight of faith, fleeing from evil to God by pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:12 ). I praise You, Lord, that You have taken hold of this special shepherd in the personal experience of eternal life.

Expect, Stand, Yield

Finally, expect all that you have prayed, stand behind your pastor, girding him or her in prayer, and yield to the Spirit for other areas of prayer and intercession!

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About the Author

Formerly a fulltime pastor, Terry Teykl now heads Renewal Ministries. He is a popular speaker who conducts schools of prayer and prayer seminars across the country. To contact write: Renewal Ministries, P.O. Box 278, Spring, TX 77383.

This article is adapted from Preyed On or Prayed For: Hedging Your Pastor in Prayer ( there are 40 Scripture-based prayers in the book). © 1994 by Terry Tekyl. Published by Prayer Point Press.

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