Pastor Prayer No. 7: A heart for the people

***That Pastors would have a heart for every individual in their congregation

Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for those that You have called to serve as pastors in our churches. Thank You for those who have answered and have prepared themselves to serve. Grant all believers prayers for these servants who show up each day to serve You and attend to Your congregations.

Oh Father, they are walking targets before the enemy. Protect them with Your full armor. Bring prayers of protection for them and their families to those around them, that they may not fall into the snares of the enemy.

Protect their families and their relationships with their families. May they take that quality time to care for their spouses and children, that they not fall prey, or be distracted. Give them a set of priorities for each day of their lives, that they live in accordance with Your Word and the order that You have established so that priorities not get out of skew. Again, may their armor be airtight!

Having established their daily care of their personal relationship with You and with their families, grant them vision for Your churches and a heart to know their part as servants of the Most High God. Give them an intimate relationship with You as Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord our Shepherd, that they may daily live in the example of Jesus Christ.

As their congregations see their commitment to servant-leadership, may servant-leaders rise up to establish the vision for each church, in the character and purpose that You have given them. May all be done in good order.

Father, churches are so good at judging each other. Give pastors the wisdom to thwart every attempt at this. May it be established in their heart that we judge not. Show them how to demonstrate Your love to each other beginning with their staff, the volunteers, the individuals who come, whether as members or not, givers or not, outgoing or introverted.

Father, it seems that every church has an abandoned sheep pen. I am so sorry. Forgive us and show pastors the path to dismantle them. Open wide the hearts of pastors. Fill them with compassion for every person who comes to the church. May staff and leaders see this compassion and deeply desire it.

Bring all of us to Your Word so that we may more clearly understand how to demonstrate Your love to each other. Raise up an army of encouragers within each church. May this encouragement go forth to every person, including pastors and their staff. May no one be or feel taken for granted.

Give pastors the words to touch the hearts of their congregations...every heart, no one missed. May this come through the discernment of the Holy Spirit: the rhema...the right word and the right time for the need of the moment...

Please help keep these pastors humble that they not find themselves in the cross-hairs of the enemy.

In Jesus’ Name.

***These prayers are my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. They are offered in good faith that others may find them helpful in their prayer life and that the Church of Jesus Christ may be found faithful in the day of His coming.