Pastors are the heart of the church. They lead their congregation closer to Christ so that people can understand the love Jesus has for them. Not only that, but a pastor stewards God’s word and should emit humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance. As a church member, it’s important that we recognize our pastor’s work and take time to celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month.
One way to accomplish this is by looking at scripture to see what it says about pastors. Using scripture as a baseline, you can find specific prayers to strengthen and equip your pastor to lead your church well.
Below you’ll find specific verses along with why that scripture is important and how to pray it over the leader of your church. Use this guideline as a way to build up the pastor of your church during Pastor Appreciation Month.
Scripture and Prayers
2 Timothy 4:12
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (ESV)
Why It’s Important
Explaining the need to be strong in the Lord, this verse explains why pastors need to be equipped daily so they can reprove, rebuke, and exhort their congregation as needed.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are holy. You reprove, rebuke, and exhort us as followers of Jesus Christ. Thank you for setting our pastor in place to imitate this example. Give our pastor confidence to continue these things. Draw our pastor closer to you with an open heart to love you more.
Amen
Jeremiah 3:15
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (ESV)
Why It’s Important
All pastors should have a desire to run after God’s heart. It’s important to understand a pastors lead us because God is first leading them.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You draw each of us to your heart. Draw our pastor deeper into your love with an open heart to follow Your will with increased wisdom and understanding. Give our pastor the stamina needed to continue serving You and to lead this congregation well.
Amen
1 Timothy 3:1-3
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” (ESV)
Why It’s Important
Every church member should understand the responsibility God calls pastors to bear. It is not a calling that should be taken lightly.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are perfect. There is no flaw in You. Thank you for calling our pastor to a holy way of living. Provide the grace needed to follow You. Increase joy in following your words. Please bring our pastor advisors who love You. May our pastor feel Your amazing love.
Amen
Ephesians 4:11-12
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (ESV)
Why It’s Important
A pastor does not organically have all the things needed to be successful. God provides the knowledge and grace. God equips them to lead so that the body of Christ can be built upon solid ground.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the giver of all things. Thank you for supplying our pastor with a servant’s heart and skills. Thank you for building up our church through our pastor. Using our pastor for your glory. Open our pastor’s heart and mind to understand and love you more. Thank you for our pastor’s leadership.
Amen
Titus 1:9
“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (ESV)
Why It’s Important
The Word of God should be the baseline for any pastor’s teaching. Human opinion should not sway a pastor’s belief. It’s vital to encourage pastors to continue digging deeper into the Word of God so they can stand firm.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your Word is truth. No opinions can compare with the sound doctrine you’ve provided us to follow. Thank you for calling our pastor to lead us through your Word. Increase our pastor’s confidence in your Word and help our pastor stand firm in a world with many opinions. Remind our pastor your Word does not return void and has a purpose for each and every ear who hears your truths. Thank You for our pastor’s desire to love You.
Amen
Next Steps
Discover more ways to appreciate your pastor with our Elexio Pastor Appreciation Guide. In this guide, you’ll find information that you can use to celebrate your pastor well during Pastor Appreciation Month (Hint: It’s October). From strategically using your church management software to practical ideas on what to do each day of the month, we’ve got you covered.
