Praying Scripture for the Church and Its Pastors
Learn how to pray Scripture for your church and pastors, with guided prayers from Psalms and the New Testament.
Psalm 122:6Ephesians 6:18-20Colossians 4:2-41 Thessalonians 5:252 Thessalonians 3:1-2Psalm 69:9Psalm 12:1Psalm 28:8-9Ephesians 3:14-19Philippians 1:9-11Psalm 109:41 Timothy 2:1-2Matthew 5:44John 17:20-21
Praying Scripture for the church means taking God’s own words—promises, petitions, and praises—and asking Him to do for His people what He has already said He will do. It is not a formula or a magic spell. It is simply agreeing with God. When you pray for your church and its pastors, you can open your Bible, find a passage that speaks to their need, and turn it into a prayer. For example, Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (KJV). You might pray something like, Lord, give peace to our church and to all who love Your people. Or you can use Ephesians 6:18-20 to ask for boldness in preaching. The point is to let Scripture shape what you ask for. This article will show you how to do that, step by step.
Why should we pray Scripture for the church and its pastors?
God’s Word is alive and powerful. When we pray it back to Him, we are not trying to twist His arm. We are aligning our hearts with His will. The Bible itself commands us to pray for the church. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Pastors are included in this call. They carry a heavy responsibility—feeding the flock, guarding against false teaching, and caring for souls. They need prayer. In Colossians 4:2-4, Paul asks for prayer that God would open a door for the message and that he would proclaim it clearly. That is a prayer we can echo for our own pastors today.
Praying Scripture also protects us from selfish or shallow requests. Instead of praying only for our own comfort, we ask for what God has said matters: holiness, unity, boldness, love, and truth. The Psalms are especially rich for this. Psalm 69:9 says, “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me” (KJV). That verse can become a prayer for pastors to have zeal for God’s house and for the church to bear up under criticism.
How can I pray Scripture for my pastors?
Start by choosing a passage that fits your pastor’s needs. You can pray through the letters of Paul, the Psalms, or the prayers of Jesus. Here are some specific ways to turn Scripture into prayer.
Pray for strength and protection
Pastors face spiritual attack, discouragement, and exhaustion. Use Psalm 28:8-9: “The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever” (KJV). Pray that God would be your pastor’s strength and that He would feed and lift up your congregation.
Pray for boldness and clarity
Ephesians 6:18-20 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (KJV). You can pray this for your pastor: that God would give him the right words and courage to preach the gospel without fear.
Pray for love and wisdom
Philippians 1:9-11 is a beautiful prayer for spiritual growth: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (KJV). Pray that your pastor’s love would grow, that he would have discernment, and that his life would bring glory to God.
Pray for the church’s unity and witness
Jesus prayed for all believers in John 17:20-21: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (KJV). You can pray this for your church—that unity would mark your fellowship and that outsiders would see Christ through your love.
What about praying for the church’s enemies and challenges?
The Bible tells us to pray for those who oppose the church. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (KJV). This does not mean we ignore false teaching or injustice. It means we ask God to change hearts and to protect His people. Psalm 109:4 says, “For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer” (KJV). When the church faces opposition, our first response should be prayer, not panic or revenge. We can pray that God would defend His church and bring truth to light.
How do I start a habit of praying Scripture for the church?
You do not need a special method. Begin with one passage. Read it slowly. Ask what it tells you about God and what it asks for. Then turn those thoughts into a simple prayer. You can write it down or pray it aloud. Many people find it helpful to pray through a psalm each day, or to use the prayers of Paul as a guide. Set aside a few minutes regularly—perhaps in your quiet time or before church on Sunday. You can also pray Scripture with others. When you meet with a small group, read a passage and pray it together. This builds unity and teaches everyone how to pray.
If you are not sure where to begin, try Psalm 12:1: “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” (KJV). Pray that God would raise up faithful people in your church. Or use 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2: “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith” (KJV). Pray that the gospel would spread freely and that your church would be protected from harmful influences.
What should I remember as I pray?
Prayer is a conversation with a personal God. He listens. He answers. Sometimes the answer is not what we expect, but He is always good. Keep your focus on Him, not on techniques. Pray with humility, recognizing that you do not know everything. Pray with faith, trusting that God hears and acts. And pray persistently. Jesus told a parable about a widow who kept coming to a judge until he gave her justice (Luke 18:1-8). He said we should always pray and not give up. Your prayers for your church and pastors matter more than you can see.
As you pray Scripture, you may find that your own heart is changed. You begin to love your church more, to understand your pastor’s burdens, and to see God’s hand at work. That is one of the gifts of intercession.
If you are struggling with how to pray, or if you are facing a difficult situation in your church, please reach out to a trusted pastor or a mature believer. They can pray with you and offer guidance. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, please seek help immediately. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Anywhere else, visit findahelpline.com or call your local emergency number.
May God give you joy as you pray for His church. He is building His kingdom, and He invites you to be part of it through prayer.
Common questions
How do I pray Scripture for my church if I don’t know what to say?
Start with a passage that speaks to you. Read it slowly, then turn each phrase into a prayer. For example, Psalm 122:6 says to pray for peace. You can simply say, Lord, give peace to our church. The words of Scripture give you the words to pray.
Can I pray Scripture for my pastor even if I don’t know his specific needs?
Yes. Prayers like Ephesians 3:14-19 and Philippians 1:9-11 cover general needs that every pastor has—strength, love, wisdom, and boldness. God knows the details, and His Word is always fitting.
Is it biblical to pray for the church’s enemies?
Jesus commanded it in Matthew 5:44. We pray for those who oppose the church, asking God to change hearts and to protect His people. This does not mean we approve of their actions, but we trust God to bring justice and truth.
What if I don’t see answers to my prayers for the church?
God always hears and answers, but His timing and ways are not always ours. Keep praying, trusting that He is at work even when you cannot see it. Prayer changes us as much as it changes circumstances.