Have you ever had a one-sided conversation? The kind where you do all the listening while someone else does all the talking? Or were you the one doing all of the talking? We have all been there, and sometimes people need to vent, but what if that is all we ever did?
Prayer is talking with God, but we often forget that prayer is supposed to be a two-way communication. Yes, we should tell God our needs, give Him praise and thanksgiving, and intercede for others, but we should also listen to what He has to say. Even better, we should do what He tells us to do. Pastoral prayer is an opportunity that can benefit both the leader and those they serve.
What Is a Pastoral Prayer?
As Crosswalk contributor Becky Harling explains, pastoral prayer is when the pastor or other church minister leads the congregation into a deeper awareness of God’s presence. The most common forms are prayers of invocation, blessing, thanksgiving, intercession, and benediction. Pastors and elders are commanded to pray for their members and be an example:
- 1 Peter 5:1-3 tells the elders to “feed the flock of God which is among you” and to be “examples to the flock.”
- Acts 20:28 commands the leaders to pay attention “to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God.”
- James 5:14 says, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
Paul often began his letters with a prayer for the person or church he was writing to, but he also thanked them for praying for him and seeing to his needs. Christians are to follow their leaders’ examples by also praying for them. The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders:
- Jeremiah 29:7 commands the children of Israel to pray for the peace and prosperity of their captors because if they prosper, it will be for your good.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2 tells us to pray for kings and all in authority so that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives.
- Romans 13:1 says to be subject to higher powers because God put them in place.
- Hebrews 13:7 tells us to imitate the faith of our leaders and their example to us.
James 5:16 sums it up well: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
We are to pray for one another: the leaders for the flock, the flock for the leaders, and all for each other. When we pray for our leaders and one another, we create unity between God and us and within our local congregations.
So, how can we pray for each other?
Pastoral Prayers of Invocation and Benediction
Prayers of Invocation are prayers for opening a service or event, bringing the pastor and the members to focus on God and seek His Presence in a gathering. When the pastor prays aloud to welcome God into the moment, the members should also pray silently in agreement. This brings unity of heart and mind to the church as a whole.
Prayers of Benediction usually come at the end of a service but could also be spoken at the end of a quiet time as you begin your day. Benediction means “a good word,” so the idea is to send the congregation out into the world with the blessings of God so that they can live out their faith in their daily lives. As members of a church, we should pray blessings over our pastor.
Pastoral Prayers of Blessing
Prayers of Blessing are prayers for God’s protection and favor. This is something that we should be praying over each other, whether as pastors or members. Numbers 6:24-27 is one of the most popular and applicable prayers of blessing. In it, God told Moses how they should pray over the children of Israel. It is still applicable to all God’s children today:
“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Pastoral Prayers of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and gratitude are two of the best ways to support pastors and to change the focus of every member from the problems of the church and the world to the blessings we have and will receive as children of God. We should not only thank God for His gifts to us, but we should also thank our pastors, leaders, and laypeople for their work in the church and community. A word of thanks can go a long way in energizing our spirits in a world that works hard to beat us down. The news and the internet are full of bad news, but a word of encouragement can strengthen us to keep going even in dark times.
Hebrews 10:24-25 commands, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NKJV)
Pastoral Prayers of Intercession
Intercessory prayer is one of the greatest needs for pastors and members. Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” As we already covered, we are to pray for the sick, our leaders, and our nation. Besides the pastors, we should also pray for those serving in leadership roles in the church, and missionaries sent out into the mission field. We also need to pray for those lost and those who have fallen away.
Our world—and unfortunately, the church—often wants to judge people who have fallen into trouble or disgrace when our role is not judge but intercessor. God is to be the judge. Our first response should be to lift people in prayer instead of pointing fingers or jumping on social media. The Golden Rule is to do unto others as we would have done to us because it could be me who has fallen short in the blink of an eye. If we want others to pray for us, we should be busy praying for others. We could all use prayers for strength and grace.
Pastor prayer is more than just the prayers of our pastor; it is also our prayers for our pastors and those around us. The purpose of prayer is to communicate with God for our good and those around us. When we pray for each other, we are mutually encouraged by faith. It also builds a sense of unity as we turn our focus on God and His will for our lives, for our church, for our nation, and our world.
Further Reading:
How and Why Should I Pray for Leaders?
4 Beautiful Prayers for Missionaries
Why Should We Use Fervent Prayer?
10 Powerful Prayers for Pastors and Leaders
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/SeventyFour
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
