Praying for the Shepherds Who Pray For Us
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”—James 5:16 (ESV)
In our last post, we talked about the “underground ministry” of prayer—the work that often feels invisible, unmeasured, and therefore easy to minimize. However, because we’re also living in the “now and not yet” space of redemptive history, we also must face the reality that the spiritual battle continues. Though victory over sin and death is secured in Christ, pockets of resistance still remain, both around us and within us (1 Peter 5:8; Rom. 7; Gal. 5:17).
While all of us live in this reality, those who have taken up the mantle of vocational ministry often experience this “on the front lines,” so to speak. Out of their love for God and their desire to spread the gospel and make disciples, pastors and missionaries have invested their lives to shepherd God’s flock.
While ministry is a noble calling, it does not make it easy. In fact, if we look at it strategically, then it would make sense to target those in leadership positions. Think about it: when shepherds themselves are weary or discouraged, this will have ripple effects on their flock (Heb. 13:17; Acts 20:28-30). It’s a pragmatic way to get quick results.
The apostle Paul understood this. He recognized his role in the body of Christ. As he followed Jesus, he knew that he served as a key example to the fledgling church. He also knew his weakness and frailty and how much he needed the Lord to carry out his calling. This humble awareness prompted him to ask for prayer from these churches he shepherded (see Rom. 15:30-33; 2 Cor. 1:10-11; Eph. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:19-20; Col. 4:2-4; 2 Thess. 3:1-2; Philemon 22).
This is also true for ministry leaders today. They also need our prayers. Without faithful leadership, the local church can forget their true calling and mission to make disciples. It can lead to fracture of relationships and loss of the unity that Jesus valued in his prayers (John 17:20-23). Without this love for one another, the church can lose its testimony (John 13:34-35).
For this reason, we as a church need to pray for our pastors, missionaries, and other leaders. This is a vital ministry of the body of Christ, just as those who are on the front lines have a vital role. Using Paul’s prayer requests, let’s learn how we can pray for our leaders.
1. Bold Proclamation and Clarity
The spread of the gospel of good news was Paul’s distinct calling. After his own life-changing experience with Christ, he wanted everyone to know!
Therefore, as Paul requested for himself, we can also pray that God would grant our leaders boldness and courage to speak for Christ (Eph. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:20), open doors of opportunity to share the message (Col. 4:3), clarity in delivering the message (Col. 4:4), and the effective spread of the message (2 Thess. 3:1).
2. Protection and Deliverance
In the ancient world of the early church, Paul faced physical danger from opponents of the gospel. This is still true in certain areas of the world. However, if we remember this is a spiritual battle, all ministry leaders are in a position of spiritual danger and opposition in unique ways (Eph. 6:12).
For this reason, we can pray as Paul requested, not only for protection from physical peril and life-threatening dangers (2 Cor. 1:10-11), but also for rescue from evil people who wickedly speak against and slander the reputation of godly men (Rom. 15:31; 2 Thess. 3:2). We can pray for favor in the communities in which they serve as well.
3. Fellowship and Encouragement
While our fellowship with God provides our ultimate protection, it is not good for leaders to be alone (Gen. 2:18). This is not only in marriage but a general way we are wired as humans. Paul, a single man, also valued the support and fellowship of other believers.
Our shepherds are no different. They also, like all believers, are “jars of clay” (2 Cor. 4:7). Even if they possess spiritual strength, they are not qualitatively different than every other believer. Therefore, we can pray for their relationships with other believers—at home, among other leaders, and with the people they care for (Romans 15:32; Philemon 22). Pray that their service and efforts will be well-received by others, resulting in unity and cooperation (Rom. 15:31).
4. God’s Will and Purpose to Be Done
Though he was a key leader in the new church, Paul knew who he was serving. He could make plans, but he remembered that it was God who made the final call, and he submitted to whatever He decided.
In the same way, we can pray that our leaders will grow in the vital character of humility, willingly submitting their plans to God’s sovereign will. Even when facing death, Paul was thinking of the gospel and was praying for its advance and the magnification of Christ (Phil. 1:20).
Remember: Pastors Are Humans Too
As a ministry family, we’ve experienced firsthand both the joys and challenges of serving God vocationally. There is great delight when we witness other believers grow or actively live out their faith in response to our teaching. We rejoice when we see answers to prayers we have prayed.
But I’ve also seen my husband spend long hours in hospital rooms and late nights in conversation not because we are extraordinary, but because this is simply what love looks like in ministry. Many of you have seen the same in your own leaders or even in your own service.
In addition to the work required to keep things going in the church’s operations, he also carried heavy burdens—situations that don’t change and choices he couldn’t control—and we often felt our limits. Those moments reminded us how desperately ministry depends on the Lord’s sustaining grace, not our endurance.
On the home front, pastors’ wives sometimes shoulder more so their husbands can serve. Again, this is a dynamic you may have already seen as well. When we pray for our leaders and their households, we are acknowledging that ministry has always been a shared work of the whole body, so don’t forget to pray for the leader’s support system too!
Prayer is vital, not optional, not only for the ministry leader, but also for the flock they serve. It is how we join together in the spiritual battle and support one another. So, who has shepherded you this week? Will you take a moment to pray for them too?
May we commit ourselves—shepherds and flock alike—to the ministry of prayer. May we join together in faithfully praying for one another, against the resistance with us and around us, until Christ comes again.