For the Pastor: How to Pray Like Paul for Those God Has Called You to Shepherd

How to Pray Like Paul for Those God Has Called You to Shepherd

One of your responsibilities as a pastor is to pray for your flock. There is much more to praying for those in our care than just their felt needs and requests. The following is a collection of prayers recorded in the letters of the Apostle Paul.  These prayers of Paul give pastors powerful insights and laser focus on how we also should be praying for those God has entrusted to us.  Marked in bold are the direct references to Paul's prayer focus. All Scriptures are from the NASB. All passages in ( ) are from the NLT. Some references are followed by a brief comment that helps synthesize or add clarity. At the end of this article is a condensed bullet list for easy reference.

Romans 1:8-10  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the world.  (9)  For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,  (10)  always in my prayers…

Comment:  Give thanks to God, calling out each person by their name, that their life of faith, their reputation as believers in Christ, and the collective reputation of your church, will be proclaimed throughout your community and the world! (Big prayers reflect a BIG God)

Romans 10:1  Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

Comment:  Salvation has a present (sanctification) and future (glorification) reality.  Pray for their present salvation--for their daily sanctification (being made holy) in Christ.  Pray they by the power of the Holy Spirit will persevere in their salvation unto the end and be found blameless on the day they meet Christ.  Pray for the salvation of their household and all those they love. 

Romans 15:5-7  Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind (live in complete harmony) with one another, according to Christ Jesus,  (6)  so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (7)  Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God.

Comment: Pray for the unity in Christ within your church that brings glory to God.  Pray they accept one another and not hold judgment or envy because of pride, race, social status, income level, talent/gifts  or anything that would cause division.  

Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound (overflow-NLT) in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Comment:  Pray that their faith and trust in God will produce overflowing joy, peace, and hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit actively and powerfully working within them. Pray that whether in attack or need, or abundance and peace, they will knowingly experience the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit in abundance!

Romans 15:30  Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together (join in my struggle-NLT) with me in your prayers to God for me,

Comment:  As pastors, it is good to pray (and request) that your people are and will pray for you as you are praying for them. The quality and quantity of your prayers for them should be the plumb line for your requests and expectations of their prayers for you.  

1 Corinthians 1:4-8  I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,  (5)  that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,  (6)  just as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,  (7)  so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (8)  who will also confirm you (keep you strong) to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Comment:  For context (1:2), Paul refers more to the corporate church than to individuals. As you pray this also include how this passage describes a gathering of people for a church service.  In their gathering, Christ made rich their speech (conversations, teachings/preachings) and knowledge (of the person and work of Christ), and testimony (sharing what Christ has/is doing). They were not lacking in any gift (the supernatural gifts of God were active among them).  Is this not how we should be praying for our flock and when we gather for church?

2 Corinthians 13:7,9 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may appear unapproved.  (9) … this we also pray for, that you become mature.

Comment:  For context (13:1-6), when Paul says "that you do nothing wrong/do what is right" refers to obeying his correction and recognizing his authority in Christ. To pray like Paul is to pray our congregation also receives correction and respects/acknowledges the spiritual authority we have in Christ as their pastor.  Submission to authority is a mark of maturity (9).  

Ephesians 1:15-19 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,  (16)  do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;  (17)  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation (insight) in the knowledge of Him.  (18)  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  (19)  and what is the boundless (incredible) greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might

Comment: (15) Pray for your church to be so full of faith in Christ and love for one another that that becomes the reputation you have in your community!

Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I bend my knees before the Father,  (15)  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,  (16)  that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory (glorious, unlimited resources), to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self,  (17)  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  (18)  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,  (19)  and to know (experience) the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.  (20)  Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,  (21)  to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Comment: (16) Pray for Spirit-empowered, filled, led people. (17) Pray for faith-filled, Christ followers grounded in their love and relationship with Christ (19) who according to the fullness of God live and experience the abundant life in Christ.

Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  (4)  always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,  (5)  in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.  (6)  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.

Comment:  (5) Joyously thank God for those who are leaders and volunteers and serve in your church (participate in the gospel). (6) Pray that nothing will sidetrack or disqualify them from what God has started in their life.  No attacks or assignments from the enemy or sinful deeds of the flesh.

Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,  (10)  so that you may discover the things that are excellent (what really matters), that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ;  (11)  having been filled with the fruit of righteousness (your salvation) which comes (produced) through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.

Comment:  (9) Pray that their love for one another be sincere, authentic and always growing in experience and relationship.  (10) Pray as their love grows for one another they will discover what is most important (that their priorities be determined by God). 

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  (10)  so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  (11)  strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously  (12)  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;  (3)  constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance (enduring) of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you;  (12)  and may the Lord cause you to increase (grow) and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;  (13)  so that He may establish (make strong) your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Comment:  (11) Pray that God will give you open doors and opportunities to proactively connect and minister to your flock.  (12) That their love for one another and for all people be a reflection of your own love "just as we also do for you". That is a sobering and reflective prayer for any pastor.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify (make you holy) you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Comment:  Pray that they not compromise and settle for sin in their lives but desire and trust God to make them entirely holy and blameless.  That every area of their life: spiritual, emotion & will, and physical be guarded and protected without setbacks or loss.  That they always have an awareness and live with an anticipation that will come back at any time.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater.

Comment:  Make a habit of always giving thanks for all those God has entrusted to you as their pastor.  The two greatest prayers you can pray: the default prayer, that they continually grow greater in their faith in God and greater in their love for one another.  

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,  (May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.) (12)  so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified (honored) in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Comment:  

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17  Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,  (17)  comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Philemon 1:4-6  I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,  (5)  because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;  (6)  and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ. (6) And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

The following is a condensed list of the prayer requests of the Apostle Paul.

• Thank God always for them
• Mention them by name
• For their salvation
• For perseverance
• For encouragement
• Same mind with one another (harmony)
• One purpose and one voice (unity)
• Accept one another
• Fill with joy and peace
• Abound (overflow) in hope by the power of the Spirit
• Enriched in all speech and knowledge in Christ
• Not lacking in any gift
• Eagerly awaiting the return of Christ
• Confirm you in Christ to the end
• Do nothing wrong but do what is right
• That they become mature
• God give a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ
• Eyes of their heart be enlightened
• Know the hope of His calling
• Know the riches of the glory of His inheritance (salvation)
• Know the boundless greatness of His power
• Be strengthened with power through the Spirit
• That Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith
• That they will be rooted and grounded in love
• To know the love of Christ and be filled to all the fullness of God
• That God will complete the good work He has begun within them
• Their love overflow in real knowledge and all discernment
• They may discover the things that are excellent
• They be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ
• They be filled with the fruit of righteousness
• They will be anxious for nothing
• The peace of God guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
• They be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
• They will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
• They will please the Lord in everything
• They will bear fruit in every good work
• They will increase in the knowledge of God
• They will be strengthened with His power for perseverance and patience
• May the Lord increase their love for one another and for all people
• May the Lord establish their hearts blameless in holiness before God
• God of peace sanctify them entirely
• May their spirit , soul, and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of Christ
• That their faith increase abundantly
• That their love for one another grow greater
• That God will consider them worthy of their calling
• That God will fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power
• That the name of Christ will be glorified in them,and them in Him
• God will comfort and strengthen their hearts in every good work and word
• That the fellowship of their faith may be effective for the sake of Christ