Prayer and Care for Pastors and Their Families
In the midst of a season when they are needed most, pastors are burning out at an alarming rate!
As Christians, we should feel deep agony over this fact, especially since the main reason for it
appears to be . . . us! The very Christians who comprise the congregations of pastors who are
rapidly dropping out of ministry are often the cause.
God has not called us to criticize or damage our pastors. He has called us to love them (1 Cor.
13:1-13), to be submissive to their leadership (Heb. 13:17), and to pray for them (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
The Father has called our pastors, and has ordained them to be our shepherds (Acts 20:28).
How can you pray effectively for your pastors and their families?
Make a commitment to pray for them daily. If your pastors knew that you, your
family, and others were praying for them, and for their families, each day . . . can you
imagine what an encouragement that would be? Would their hearts be lifted if they knew
that they could share a need or a concern with your family and you would take it to the
Lord on their behalf? You know it would!
Pray that your congregation will allow them to minister in a loving and caring
environment. Many pastors and their families feel very alone in the midst of their
churches. Often, they don’t have close friends in the congregation to whom they can go
with burdens. They may feel that they can’t share needs because they, of all people,
should have everything together. In truth, the pastor’s family is just like yours. They
struggle with similar issues and problems. They desperately need others to come
alongside of them and commit to fervent, continuous prayer so that the enemy won’t have
the opportunity to do damage.
Your pastor’s ministry will only be as effective as the prayer that fuels it. If you want
a joyful, Spirit-filled shepherd, who confidently leads their congregation into a deeper
relationship with Jesus Christ, and demonstrates a passion for revival and for reaching the
lost, then you must pray for them – and for their families!8
Here are some specific ways that your family can pray for your pastors and their families:
1. Pray that your pastors will always have a passion to know Christ more intimately.
Prayer:8Father, help our pastor(s) to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the
fellowship of sharing in His sufferings (Phil. 3:10). Since we know of their faith in the Lord
Jesus and their love for all the saints, may we never stop giving thanks for them, always
remembering them in our prayers. We will keep asking that You, the glorious Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, will give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know You
better (Eph. 1:15-17).
2. Pray that your pastors will minister out of a humble spirit.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, would You help our pastor(s) to humble themselves before You
and under Your mighty hand, so that You will lift them up (Jas. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6)? Guide them in
what is right and teach them Your way (Psa. 25:9). May our congregation see that they are wise
and understanding as shown by their good lives, and by deeds done in the humility that comes
from wisdom (Jas. 3:13). Father, You have said that the ones You esteem are those who are
humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at Your Word (Isa. 66:2). May our pastor be such
a person!
3. Pray that your pastors will minister from the Spirit’s power.
Prayer:8Gracious Father, may our pastor’s messages and preaching come to us, not with wise
and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that our faith might not
rest on the wisdom of man, but upon Your power (1 Cor. 2:4-5). Help them never to depend
upon their own might or power, but always upon Your Spirit, Lord Almighty (Zech. 4:6). May
You, the God of hope, fill our pastor(s) with all joy and peace as they trusts in you, so that they
may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
4. Pray that your pastors will be persons of prayer and of the Word (Acts 6:4) in order to
live a holy and pure life.
Prayer: Glorious God, we pray that our pastor(s) will seek You with all of their hearts. Help
them never to stray from Your commands. May they hide Your Word in their hearts so that they
will not sin against You (Psa. 119:10-11). Give them a deep desire to meditate on Your precepts
and to consider Your ways. May they delight in Your decrees and never neglect Your Word (Psa.
119:15-16). Give them understanding so that they will keep your law and obey it with all of their
hearts. Direct them in the path of Your commands where they will find delight. Turn their hearts
toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain, and turn their eyes away from worthless things.
Preserve their lives according to Your Word (Psa. 119:34-37).
5. Pray for the families of your pastors.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, may our pastor(s) fear You so that they will have a secure fortress that
will always be a refuge for their children (Prov. 14:26). May they consistently teach their
children to revere Your commands by following their example (Psa. 34:11), so that they might
be blessed (Psa. 112:1-2). Help them to manage their families well so that their children will
obey them with proper respect (1 Tim. 3:4-5). May husbands love their wives just as Christ loved
the Church (Eph. 5:25). Help them to be considerate and respectful to their wives so that nothing
will hinder their prayers (1 Pet. 3:7). May wives be respectful to their husbands, submitting to
their authority as they would submit to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22). Faithful Lord, strengthen and
protect our pastor(s) and their families against the attacks of the enemy (2 Thess. 3:3), and may
their households always choose to serve You (Josh. 24:15).
6. Pray for protection against the schemes of the devil.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help our pastor(s) to be strong in Your mighty power. May they
continually remember to clothe themselves with Your armor so that they can take their stand
against the devil’s schemes. Help them to remember that their struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Help them to stand their ground and to stand firm with the
belt of truth buckled around their waists, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with
their feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. In addition, help them to
daily take up the shield of faith so that they can extinguish all of the flaming arrows of the evil
one. May they put on the helmet of salvation and use the sword of the Spirit, Your Word. Give
them the desire to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Help them to be continually alert, and to keep on praying for all the saints (Eph. 6:10-18). Don’t
let the devil establish a foothold in any area of their lives (Eph. 4:27). Help them to have a good
reputation with outsiders, so that they will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap (1 Tim.
3:7). May they continually submit themselves8 to You, Father, and may they be self-controlled
and alert in order to resist the devil, standing firm in the faith, so that the devil will flee (Jas. 4:7;
1 Pet. 5:8-9). Keep them from temptation and deliver them from the evil one, Lord (Matt. 6:13).
7. Pray blessing into the life of your pastor(s) and their families:
O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, may the words of our pastors’ mouths and the meditations of
their hearts be pleasing in Your sight (Psa. 19:14).
May You, O Lord, give our pastor(s) the desires of their hearts and make all of their plans
succeed (Psa. 20:4).
Lord, our God, may Your favor rest upon our pastor(s) and establish the work of their hands
(Psa. 90:17).
God of hope, may You fill our pastor(s) with all joy and peace as they trust in You, so that they
may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
Lord of peace, may You give our pastor(s) and their families peace at all times and in every way
(2 Thess. 3:16).
May You, the God of peace, equip our pastor(s) with everything good for doing Your will, and
may You work in them what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen (Heb. 13:20-21).
Becoming the Answer
Now that you have prayed for and blessed your pastor(s) and their families, here are some
practical ways to care for, encourage, and show your appreciation to them:
Submit to the spiritual authority of your pastor(s) and encourage others to do the same…
especially if there are any who are complaining or grumbling.
Extend hospitality to your pastor(s) and their families by inviting them to your home for a
meal or including them in family activities. Think of other creative ideas.
Recognize that your pastor(s) and their families go through the same struggles as
everyone else’s families and be empathetic rather than critical.
Give your pastor(s) and their spouses time together while you care for their children or
hire someone to do so.
Fix a meal and take it to them with an encouraging note.
Take a basket of items you know would encourage them. Find out some things they like
to snack on, or some of their favorite coffee, card games, etc.
Find out if there are any needs in their home that need attention: leaky shower, car
repairs, yard work, etc. and see that they are taken care of.
Send notes of encouragement and appreciation from your whole family; have your
children draw pictures or write their own notes.
Recruit as many people as you can to pray regularly for your pastors and their families.
Try to cover them in prayer seven days a week.
Encourage your church leaders to send your pastor(s) on a spiritual retreat regularly so
that they can be renewed and refreshed by the Holy Spirit.
Use your imagination. There are so many things you can do to show your love and appreciation.
Be determined to pray for and care for your pastors and their families, and allow the Lord to
work in and through you by encouraging other families to do the same. Your simple efforts will
do much to advance the cause of Christ in your church and community, as God does a mighty
work in and through your pastor(s) lives. May your prayers and those of many others in your
church, along with expressions of kindness, care and appreciation, keep pastors and their families
safe, joyful and productive for many years to the glory and honor of Christ Jesus, our Lord!
A Prayer for Our Pastors and Their Families
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 47, Psalm 128
8Reflections of the Heart:
Our Pastors carry an incredible weight that many of us will never truly understand. 8They need
our prayers, our commitment, and our support. So don’t forget to pray for our Pastors and their
families during your prayer time.
8Scriptural Prayer:
8Heavenly Father, we thank You for the men and women You have appointed as our Pastors.
Thank You for blessing our Pastors with their leadership and wisdom. Thank You for leading,
directing, and protecting their families. Lord, You are our Good Shepherd, our High Priest. 8You
are a great God and a great King above all gods. You hold in Your hands the depths of the earth
and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to You, for You made it. Your hands formed the
dry land, too. Today, we bow down and worship You. We kneel before You and acknowledge
You as our maker. You are our God and we are the people that You watch over and have taken
under Your care. 8
8Almighty Father, Your Word says that those who fear You and delight in obeying Your
commands will be joyful. 8You promised that their children will be successful everywhere. We
declare that the descendants of our Pastors are mighty on earth and blessed because they are the
generation of Godly people. 8We confess that our Pastors will be wealthy and their good deeds
will last forever. We decree that their peace is great and their composure is undisturbed. We
declare that our Pastors’ families will experience the Kingdom of God here on earth; people will
see their good works and glorify You, our Father in Heaven. 8Our Pastors obey Your commands,
therefore, their families will be blessed in the city and in the fields. They will be blessed when
they come in and when they go out. Lord, we expect that You will cause their enemies who rise
against them one way to be defeated and flee seven ways. Lord, it is our expectation that You
will command Your blessing upon their storehouses and in all that they set their hands to do and
You will bless them in the land. 8We confess that our Pastors and their families are the head and
not the tail; they are above only and not beneath. We declare that You, Father, will perfect,
establish, strengthen and settle our Pastors and their families.
Faithful Father, we joyfully lift up the families of our Pastors. 8Holy Spirit, we ask You to fill
their homes with Your gentleness, peace, joy, and Godly order. 8We lift up their marriages and
we ask You to bless them psychologically, emotionally and sexually. Bless their children to
mature academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Lord, strengthen and encourage those
families who feel overwhelmed by the ministry. 8Lord, we ask that You protect our Pastors and
their families from the onslaughts of the devil and the disrespect of people. Please help them to
maintain balance in their public and private lives.
8Merciful Father, forgive us for not being steadfast in praying for our Pastors and their families.
Forgive those in our Church Family for speaking ill against our Pastors and rebelling against
their teachings. 8Forgive those who gossip, murmur, complain, and whine. Please forgive our
Pastors and their families for any acts of sinfulness including: anger, wrath, envy, jealousy, or
dissension. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed). Holy Spirit, remind
our Pastors and their families to forgive each other and other people, and please help them to
forgive. 8As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a
moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to
forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal
any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
8
Holy Spirit, help our Pastors and their families not to yield to temptation but deliver them from
the evil one.
8O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may You be praised forever and ever! 8Yours, O Lord, is
the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. 8Everything in the heavens and
on earth is Yours. This is Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture References for the Written Text (NKJV & NLT): 8John 10:11, Hebrews 3:1, Psalm
95:3-7, Psalm 112:1-3, Isaiah 54:13 AMP, Matthew 5:16, Deuteronomy 28:3-8,13, I Peter 5:10,
Galatians 5:19-21, Matthew 6:13, I Chronicles 29:10-11
Prayer And Care For Pastors And Their Families
By Kim Butts
888 Pastors are burning out at an alarming rate! As Christians, we should feel deep agony over this
fact, especially since the main reason for it appears to be…us! The very Christians who comprise
the congregations of pastors who are rapidly dropping out of ministry are most often the cause
for it. God has not called us to criticize or damage our pastors. He has called us to love them (1
Cor. 13:1-13), to be submissive to their leadership (Heb. 13:17), and to pray for them (1 Tim.
2:1-2). The Father has called our pastors, and has ordained them to be our shepherds (Acts
20:28).
888 As a family, one of your greatest privileges should always be to pray for your pastor and his
family daily. Our lives are busy, and finding the time for prayer together is difficult at best.
When we do pray, it is usually about things close to home such as our own needs, health issues,
unsaved family and friends, etc. Every now and then we remember to pray for our church, and
our pastor. May I suggest that this is a grievous oversight? If you were the devil (and aren’t you
glad you aren’t?) whose house would you spend time at – your house, or your pastor’s house?
Where could he do the most damage to the body of Christ and the kingdom of God? If the enemy
can stir up trouble, or cause harm with your pastor and his family, he is always thrilled – and we,
the church family, are the poorer for it.
888 How can you pray effectively for your pastor and his family? The first thing that is needed is
to make a commitment to pray for them daily. If your pastor knew that your family, and others
were praying for him each day…can you imagine what an encouragement that would be? Would
his heart be lifted if he knew that he could share a need or a concern with your family and you
would take it to the Lord on his behalf? You know it would!
888 Most pastors and their families feel very alone in the midst of their churches. Often, they don’t
have close friends in the congregation to whom they can go with burdens. They may feel that
they can’t share needs because they, of all people, should have everything running smoothly. In
truth, the pastor’s family is just like yours. They struggle with similar issues and problems. They
desperately need others to come alongside of them and commit to fervent, continuous prayer so
that the enemy won’t have the opportunity to do damage. Your pastor’s ministry will only be as
effective as the prayer that fuels it. If you want a joyful, Spirit-filled shepherd, who confidently
leads his congregation into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, and demonstrates a passion
for revival and for reaching the lost, then you must pray for him, and for his family!
888 Here are some specific ways that your family can pray for your pastor and his family:
Pray that your pastor will always have a passion to know Christ more intimately.
Prayer: Father, help our pastor to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the
fellowship of sharing in His sufferings (Phil. 3:10). Since we know of his faith in the Lord Jesus
and his love for all the saints, may we never stop giving thanks for him, always remembering
him in our prayers. We will keep asking that You, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
will give him the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that he may know You better (Eph. 1:15-
17).
Pray that your pastor will minister out of a humble spirit.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, would You help our pastor to humble himself before You and
under Your mighty hand, so that You will lift him up (Jas. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6)? Guide him in what
is right and teach him Your way (Psa. 25:9). May our congregation see that he is wise and
understanding as shown by his good life, and by deeds done in the humility that comes from
wisdom (Jas. 3:13). Father, You have said that the one You esteem is he who is humble and
contrite in spirit, and who trembles at Your Word (Isa. 66:2). May our pastor be such a person!
Pray that your pastor will minister from the Spirit’s power.
Prayer: Gracious Father, may our pastor’s messages and preaching come to us, not with wise
and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that our faith might not
rest on the wisdom of man, but upon Your power (1 Cor. 2:4-5). Help him never to depend upon
his own might or power, but always upon Your Spirit, Lord Almighty (Zech. 4:6). May You, the
God of hope, fill our pastor with all joy and peace as he trusts in you, so that he may overflow
with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
Pray that your pastor will be a man of prayer and of the Word so that he can live a holy
and pure life.
Prayer: Glorious God, we pray that our pastor will seek You with all of his heart. Help him
never to stray from Your commands. May he hide Your Word in his heart so that he will not sin
against You (Psa. 119:10-11). Give him deep desire to meditate on Your precepts and to consider
Your ways. May he delight in Your decrees and never neglect Your Word (Psa. 119:15-16). Give
him understanding so that he will keep your law and obey it with all of his heart. Direct him in
the path of Your commands where he will find delight. Turn his heart toward Your statutes and
not toward selfish gain, and turn his eyes away from worthless things. Preserve his life according
to Your Word (Psa. 119:34-37).
Pray for your pastor’s family.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, may our pastor fear You so that he will have a secure fortress that will
always be a refuge for his children (Prov. 14:26). May he consistently teach his children to
revere Your commands by following his example (Psa. 34:11), so that they might be blessed
(Psa. 112:1-2). Help him to manage his family well so that his children will obey him with
proper respect (1 Tim. 3:4-5). May he love his wife just as Christ loved the Church (Eph. 5:25).
Help him to be considerate and respectful to her so that nothing will hinder his prayers (1 Pet.
3:7). Faithful Lord, strengthen and protect our pastor and his family against the attacks of the
enemy (2 Thess. 3:3), and may their household always choose to serve You (Josh. 24:15).
Pray for protection against the schemes of the devil.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help our pastor to be strong in Your mighty power. May he
continually remember to clothe himself with Your armor so that he can take his stand against the
devil’s schemes. Help him to remember that his struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly realms. Help him to stand his ground and to stand firm with the belt of truth
buckled around his waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with his feet fitted
with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. In addition, help him to daily take up the
shield of faith so that he can extinguish all of the flaming arrows of the evil one. May he put on
the helmet of salvation and use the sword of the Spirit, Your Word. Give him the desire to pray
in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
888 Help him to be continually alert, and to keep on praying for all the saints (Eph. 6:10-18).
Don’t let the devil establish a foothold in any area of his life (Eph. 4:27). Help him to have a
good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap (1
Tim. 3:7). May he continually submit himself to You, Father, and may he be self-controlled and
alert in order to resist the devil, standing firm in the faith, so that the devil will flee (Jas. 4:7; 1
Pet. 5:8-9). Keep him from temptation and deliver him from the evil one, Lord (Matt. 6:13).
Pray blessing into the life of your pastor and his family:
888 O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, may the words of our pastor’s mouth and the meditation of
his heart be pleasing in Your sight (Psa. 19:14).
888 May You, O Lord, give our pastor the desire of his heart and make all of his plans succeed
(Psa. 20:4).
888 Lord, our God, may Your favor rest upon our pastor and establish the work of his hands (Psa.
90:17).
888 God of hope, may You fill our pastor with all joy and peace as he trusts in You, so that he may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
888 Lord of peace, may You give our pastor and his family peace at all times and in every way (2
Thess. 3:16).
888 May You, the God of peace, equip our pastor with everything good for doing Your will, and
may You work in him what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen (Heb. 13:20-21).
888
888 Now that you have prayed for and blessed your pastor and his family, here are some practical
ways to care for, encourage, and show your appreciation to them:
888 • Submit to the spiritual authority of your pastor and encourage others to do the same.
888 • Extend hospitality to your pastor and his family by inviting them to your home for a meal or
including them in family activities. Think of other creative ideas.
888 • Recognize that your pastor’s family goes through the same struggles as everyone else’s
families and be empathetic rather than critical.
888 • Give your pastor and his wife time together while you care for their children or hire someone
to do so.
888 • Fix a meal and take it to them with an encouraging note.
888 • Take a basket of items such as fruit and nuts, freshly baked bread, etc.
888 • Send notes of encouragement and appreciation from your whole family; have your children
draw pictures or write their own notes.
888 • Find out if there are any needs in their home that need attention: leaky shower, car repairs,
yard work, etc. and see that they are taken care of.
888 • Gather a group of ladies, or provide financially for someone to help clean your pastor’s
home.
888 • Recruit as many people as you can to pray regularly for your pastor and his family. Try to
cover them in prayer seven days a week.
888 • Encourage your church leaders to send your pastor on a spiritual retreat so that he can be
renewed and refreshed by the Holy Spirit.
888 Use your imagination – there are so many things you can do to show your love and
appreciation.
888 Be determined to pray for and care for your pastor and his family, and allow the Lord to work
in and through you by encouraging other families to do the same. Your simple efforts will do
much to advance the cause of Christ in your church and community, as God does a mighty work
in and through your pastor’s life. May your prayers and those of many others in your church,
along with expressions of kindness, care and appreciation, keep pastors and their families safe,
joyful and productive for many years to the glory and honor of Christ Jesus, our Lord!
8
