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12 Powerful Prayers for Church Leaders

In this article, we will look at different prayers for church leaders and ministers that you can pray in your alone time or in a group setting.

Church leaders, ministers, and pastors have a difficult job. They need to be strong and courageous, and they need to lead their flock in the right direction. All that while balancing their personal life with Jesus.

I know this personally from being in church ministry for years. One way we can support our church leaders is by covering them in prayer. Especially in this day and age we need to cover our leaders. And today we are going to explore 12 prayers for church leaders and each prayer has a Bible verse. This is to help you go deeper into your prayer time.

And if you are looking for prayers for your pastor I have a great post with prayer points for that. Just head over too...7 Important Prayers for Pastors with Prayer Points

Now, before we get started let’s look at how we can pray for church leaders. This little how-to section share some helpful tips.

Prayers for Church Leaders

>> Don’t forget to pray for Church members as well!

How to Pray for Church Leaders

First, we need to remember that church leaders are people just like us. They have the same emotions, stresses, and joys that we experience. A lot of times people place spiritual leaders on a pedestal. But they are very much human like the rest of us. So, when you pray for them, pray for them as you would want to be prayed for.

With that in mind, here are some ways you can pray for your church leaders:

  • Pray they will have strength as they face difficult challenges
  • Pray they will have wisdom to know what to do
  • Pray they will be protected from harm and the enemy
  • Pray they will be bold and courageous in their leadership
  • Pray they will be filled with the Holy Spirit
  • Pray they will continue growing closer to Jesus Christ every day

If you know something specific that your church leader needs then join them in praying for the specific need.

preacher How to Pray for Church Leaders

Prayers for Church Leaders

Now that we know how to pray for our church leaders, let’s look at 12 important prayers for them. For other translations of the Bible verses please head over to Biblegateway.org

“A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more.” – John Owen (More Christian Leadership Quotes)

Prayer for Church Leaders to Have Strength

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lord, I pray that the church leaders will have the strength they need to face the challenges before them, both spiritual and physical challenges. I know there are times when it feels like they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. So, I ask that You would give them supernatural strength and grace to lead the church. The kind of strength that only comes from You, Lord . In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Prayer for Church Workers

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17

Father, I pray for all church workers, from the janitorial staff to the worship leaders. Thank You for putting each one in their specific role and using them for Your glory. I ask that You would give them strength and wisdom as they serve in the church. And may they always give thanks to You regardless of what task they are doing. Bless them and keep them Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for Leadership in the Church

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. – 2 Timothy 4:2

Father, we need strong leadership in the church. We pray for our church leaders that they would be prepared at all times to preach Your Word. That they would have boldness to correct and rebuke when needed but also be encouraging and full of kindness. And may they do all of this with great patience and careful instruction. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Leaders to Have Courage

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. – I Corinthians 16:13

Lord, I know there are times when it takes great courage to lead the church. There are many decisions that need to be made and often people will not agree with those decisions. But I help to lead with Your truth and not based on people’s opinions or the world’s. I pray that You would give our church leaders the courage they need to lead well. And may they stand firm in their faith, not wavering when difficult times come. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer for Pastors and Church Leaders

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; – 1 Peter 5:2

Lord, I pray for all pastors and church leaders. I pray that they would shepherd the flock of God with a loving heart. That they would do so willingly and not because they feel like it is a burden or task. But because they have a heart to serve and love others. I pray that they would not be in it for dishonest gain but that their motives would be pure. Let their heart be set on You, Jesus and from that place they would lead Your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Leaders Not To Fall

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. -Ephesians 5:15-17

Heavenly Father, I know that there is a real enemy who prowls around like a lion seeking someone to devour. I pray that You would protect our church leaders from his schemes and attacks. That they would not be unwise but wise, making the most of every opportunity. And that they would understand Your will and follow it. Give them eyes to see, and ears to hear so that they will not stumble. I pray this in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Prayer for Church Leaders to Have Boldness

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. – Acts 4:29

Heavenly Father, we know that there are those who will oppose the church and our leaders. We ask that You would consider their threats and enable us to speak boldly about Your Word regardless of the opposition. That we would not shrink back because of fear but have courage to proclaim the Gospel with supernatural boldness. That the Holy Spirit would be poured out and that the church would experience revival. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Leaders Protection

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.. – Psalm 3:3

Father, we know that You are our shield and our glory. We thank You that You lift us up when we are down and give us strength when we are weak. I pray for protection over our church leaders. That the enemy would not be able to take them down or destroy what they are building for Your Kingdom. But that they would be surrounded by Your hedge of protection and have everything they need to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Leaders to Draw Closer to Christ

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.- Psalm 42:1

Lord Jesus, I ask that You would place a deep hunger a desire in my leaders to draw closer to You. That they would be like deer panting for water, desperate and thirsty for more of You. I pray that they would set aside time to be alone with You and experience the fullness of Your presence. That they would meditate on Your Word day and night and that it would transform their lives. In the mighty name of Jesus’, Amen!

Prayer for Ministry Leaders

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; – Psalm 37:23

Heavenly Father, we delight in You and ask that You would make the steps of our ministry leaders firm. That they would walk in Your ways and not be pulled to and fro by the enemy. I pray that they would have a clear vision for what You are calling them to do and that they would follow it with all of their heart. That they would see fruit from their labor and know that it is because of Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer for Church Workers To Lead Revival

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. – Acts 2:4 

Heavenly Father, we pray for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit on our church workers. That they would be filled to overflowing and that it would spill out into every area of their lives. We ask that they would lead revival in our churches and that people would be saved, healed, and set free. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Prayer for Ministers to Be Filled with God’s Love

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. – Romans 13:8

Dear Lord Jesus, we ask that You would fill our ministers with Your love. That they would overflow with Your love for God and others. We pray that it would be evident in their lives and that people would see You when they look at them. That they would be used mightily by You to build up Your church and advance Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen!


I hope these prayer for church leaders have inspired you to cover your leaders in prayer.

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