A Prayer for My Pastor

Father, thank You for my pastor. Thank You for the sermons that took hours we never saw, the hospital visits no one heard about, and the prayers prayed over us by name.

Being a shepherd is heavy work, Lord. So today I pray for the one who prays for me.

Give my pastor strength when the week is long, wisdom for decisions that have no easy answer, and thick grace for criticism that stings. Guard their heart from discouragement — and from pride on the good days, too.

Bless their family. Give them real rest, real friendships, and time with You that isn't sermon preparation — just a child sitting with a good Father.

And make me an encouragement, Lord. Remind me to say thank you, to pray more than I critique, and to serve so they don't carry this alone.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this any week your pastor comes to mind — and especially on Monday, when many pastors feel most spent. Consider telling them you prayed for them; a two-line note can carry a shepherd a long way.

A Verse to Hold On To

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord... and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." — 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (KJV)