Many believers sincerely desire to pray for their pastors, missionaries, or other spiritual workers, but they are not always sure what to pray or how to pray. Instead of offering a quick prayer such as, “Lord, please bless my pastor. Amen”, we can intercede with clarity, focus and depth. The following guidelines outline areas where intercessors can stand in the gap with purpose, covering the most common pressures and needs of spiritual workers.
Physical health
The enemy often seeks to hinder ministry by attacking the body of the spiritual worker. Illness, weakness, or physical limitation can severely reduce effectiveness.
- Pray for health and strength, since it is the Lord’s will that His children be strong to do their work (3 John 2).
- Ask the Lord to protect the worker’s body from sickness and harm, claiming His promises of safety (Psalm 91).
- Practise God-given authority to resist the devil and pray for freedom in service.
- Ask the Lord to continually remind the worker of His promises of healing and strength.
Spiritual health and state of mind
Ministry is demanding. Continuous criticism, spiritual opposition, lack of visible fruit and misunderstandings can lead to stress, discouragement and even depression.
- Pray for the worker’s mind to be protected, that they may live in peace, free from fear and anxiety (2 Timothy 1:7; John 14:27).
- Pray that they will resist accusations and suspicion, which the enemy uses to create division among co-workers (Zechariah 7:10).
- Ask the Lord to surround them with supportive friends and like-minded believers (Psalm 31:24).
- Pray that they will stand firm against Satan’s schemes, using their authority in Christ (1 Peter 5:8-9; Luke 10:19; Revelation 12:10).
- Pray for joy and spiritual renewal regardless of outward circumstances (Nehemiah 8:10, Deuteronomy 12:18).
A heart filled with the love of God
Spiritual workers often serve in abnormal or difficult conditions, where human love alone is not enough.
- Pray that they will show Christlike love to their co-workers, since working closely together can sometimes be harder than ministering to strangers (Romans 5:5).
- Pray that they will love unbelievers with patience, even when their efforts are unrecognised.
- Pray that they will not seek human approval but will continue faithfully in God’s service.
Humility and a holy life
Pride and sin can undermine a worker’s testimony and ministry.
- Pray that they will avoid known, unconfessed sin.
- Pray that they will remain humble, imitating Christ who took the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:5-7).
- Pray that they will not develop a critical or cynical spirit, which can damage the work of God.
- Ask God to keep their testimony pure before unbelievers, that their love and sincerity will soften hearts.
God’s empowerment and equipping
Spiritual work cannot succeed by human effort alone. It requires the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that the worker will rely fully on God’s strength rather than their own.
- Ask for the filling and anointing of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry.
- Pray that Scripture will be revealed clearly to them and that they will communicate it with power.
- Pray for wisdom, patience and discernment in dealing with people and situations.
- Pray for boldness in preaching the Word and that God will give them the right words at the right time.
- Ask for clear guidance so that they will discern God’s will in every decision.
Authority over the devil
Christ has already won the victory at Calvary.
- Pray that spiritual workers will exercise their authority over the powers of darkness with boldness and wisdom.
Household and family
The family of a spiritual worker often come under attack, since their well-being directly affects the worker’s ministry.
- Pray for protection over their marriage and children.
- Pray for provision for their financial needs, since many workers struggle with limited support.
- Pray against theft, accidents and harm to their possessions.
Revival and spiritual renewal
Times of refreshing from the Lord bring greater fruit than years of ordinary effort.
- Pray for the personal renewal and revival of the worker.
- Pray the same for their colleagues and fellow workers.
- Ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit according to God’s promise (2 Chronicles 7:14; Joel 2:28-29).
More labourers for the harvest
The need for spiritual workers remains urgent in both reached and unreached areas.
- Pray for more believers to recognise their responsibility and calling in God’s Kingdom.
- Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His field (Matthew 9:37-38).
Weekly prayer schedule
To pray consistently and with focus for a spiritual worker, intercessors can use the following two-week rotation.
Week 1
- Day 1: Personal relationship with God
- Day 2: Physical and emotional life
- Day 3: Family
- Day 4: Communication ability
- Day 5: Ministry
- Day 6: Co-workers
- Day 7: Area of ministry
Week 2
- Day 1: Favour with God
- Day 2: Favour with people, pure preaching
- Day 3: Clear vision and guidance of the Holy Spirit
- Day 4: Strengthening of spirit, soul and body
- Day 5: Protection against assaults, resisting the devil
- Day 6: Priorities and human relationships
- Day 7: Family, household, marriage and finances
Conclusion
Praying for pastors and missionaries is not a small task, it is a vital ministry. When intercessors stand in the gap with focused, Scripture-based prayers, the Kingdom of God advances with greater power. Through prayer, spiritual workers are shielded, strengthened and equipped to persevere in their calling.
