How to Pray for Your Pastor
Behind every great leader, there is someone who is willing to sacrifice for him. This is true of the heroes of the Bible; it is just as true of today’s pastors. They need people who will intercede for them in powerful, consistent, specific prayer. An intercessor is someone who bears another’s burdens. When Moses’ hands were tired, Aaron and Hur interceded by holding up his hands, and the battle was won (Exodus 17:8-13). Likewise, we can hold up the hands of our pastors through prayer and see God win the battle in our churches and cities!
Jesus called three of His disciples to go with Him into one of His brightest hours and one of His darkest hours. Each time the assignment was the same: to pray for Him. Because they were willing to pray, they had the opportunity to minister to the One who ministered to so many others. They saw Him during His struggle and they saw Him in His glory. If Jesus needed men to pray for Him, how much does your pastor want and need your prayers?
If the truth were known, the hearts of pastors all over the world are echoing the cry of the apostle Paul: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20).
There are three reasons why you should pray for your pastor:
#1 Love: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When you pray for your pastor, you are helping him bear the burden of the ministry. You are showing your love for him, and thereby obeying the greatest commandment—the law of love.
#2 Humility: Intercessory prayer focuses on his needs. This kind of prayer will break the chains of pride that keep so many people from becoming what they could be in God. You will be submitting yourself to him in the true biblical sense, which produces tremendous power.
#3 Unity: Praying for your pastor—his personal and ministerial needs—will bind your heart together with his. As you promote the work of the kingdom and unite with your pastor in his vision for your church and city, you will become a vessel for the Spirit to move through. It was this kind of unity that preceded the first revival of the New Testament church—the Day of Pentecost.
The burden of today’s ministers is a heavy one. But you can help your pastor fulfill his God-given call through intercessory prayer. The greatest gift you can give your pastor is prayer.
*Personal Prayer Needs
Humility: Pray that your pastor would walk humbly with His God, seeking His will and direction in all things (Micah 6:8). Pray that his heart would be strong in the midst of trials and accusation and that he would commit himself into the hands of Him who judges righteously (I Peter 2:23). Pray that he would learn and grow through every circumstance and that he would give God glory for every victory. Pray that he would give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.
Relationships: Personal contact is a powerful force in our lives, either for good or for evil (I Corinthians 15:33). Pray that your pastor would not be corrupted by the necessary contact with a sinful world and that his heart would withstand the influences of his wordly acquaintances. More importantly, pray that he would influence every person he meets for good and that he would be a shining witness in his personal life for the Lord Jesus Christ. Especially pray for peace in his dealings with people—his family, friends, business associates, and church members, for disharmony can produce a great deal of unnecessary stress.Balance: “If you go too far to one extreme or the other, you’ll wind up in a ditch. Pray that your pastor would maintain a steady, consistent walk, and that he would not be swayed by dangerous extremes. Pray that his course would be steadfast and unwavering. Pray that his character would combine the strength and gentlenessof the Lord—the Lion and the Lamb.
*Family Prayer Needs
Relationships: A pastor’s family is usually overworked, under-appreciated, and misunderstood. There is a lot of pressure in being the family of a full-time minister. Late night phone calls, early morning trips to the airport, staying all night with a sick church member—all of these take a toll on a family. Pray for the peace of God to cover and protect the fabric of your pastor’s family. Pray that God’s anointing would ease the friction and produce a loving atmosphere. Pray that your pastor would be a godly leader of his home, giving his family the love and attention they need to grow. Pray that your pastor’s income would meet the needs and realistic desires of his family.
Protection: Satan has targeted your pastor, and that means his family is under the gun. The enemy will try to get at him through his family. Pray a covering of God’s protection over the family of your pastor. Pray against negative pressures and distractions. Pray that as your pastor abides in the presence of God that no destructive force would touch his home and that God’s angels would keep his family (Psalm 91:9-11).
*Spiritual Prayer Needs
Power: Pray that your pastor would be energized by the Holy Ghost for his daily pastorial duties. Pastoring means so much more than preaching, and your pastor needs spiritual vitality to help meet the needs of others day in and day out. Bless him with all the strength and power that he needs. Pray that he would be strong in the Lord and the power of His might and that he would be prepared to do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13).
Holiness: Pray for a hedge of purity around your pastor. Cover his eyes, his mind, his steps, and his heart with holiness that he would not fall into temptation or the snares of the devil. Pray for his words to be seasoned with grace and for his mind to be stayed on the Lord. Pray that he would be well pleasing in all things to God.
Accountability: God’s ministers must be accountable. Many of the attacks of the enemy can be warded off or avoided completely if the man of God is protected by being transparent with another strong man of God. Pray that God would bring such a man into your pastor’s life and that God would continue to cultivate that relationship. Pray that your pastor will remain open to such a friendship.
Warfare: Jesus said, “Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered” (Mark 14:27). Satan knows that if he can bring down the man of God, the work of God will be severely hindered in your city. Pray the armor of God over your pastor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Quote Scriptures for his protection (Psalm 91; Luke 19:10; etc.). Pray that no weapon formed against him would prosper (Isaiah 54:17), that he would not be ignorant of the enemy’s devices, and that the enemy would not gain advantage over him (II Corinthians 2:11).
*Leadership and Church Work Prayer Needs
In the City: Pray that God’s people would be called forth from every corner of the city and even from without the city and be gathered together to your pastor. Pray that every one that God has ordained to ministry will come and submit themselves to him (Psalm 18:44). Pray that he would be anointed to be a leader in your community.
Pulpit Ministry: Pray for God’s anointing to rest heavily upon your pastor and that God would be prepare him for that anointing. Pray that the Word of God would come alive as he preaches. Pray for a burning conviction to grip the hearts of everyone—saint and sinner alike—that is not right with God. Pray that his study of preparation time would be protected so that he can receive from God the message He has for your church. Pray that his preaching would magnify Christ in all things and that as Christ is lifted up He would draw all men unto Himself.
Vision: Pray that your pastor would receive God’s direction and vision for your church. Pray that he would be sensitive to the needs of the congregation as he leads and that he would feed the flock that which they need of.
Counseling: Pray that God’s wisdom would flow through your pastor as he deals with the problems of people. Pray that he would be protected from the pressure of sinful, negative, and antagonistic spirits that he may encounter during counseling. Pray that he would be anointed to give beauty for ashes and the oil of gladness for those that mourn (Isaiah 61:3).
Finances: Pray for wisdom in handling the church finances and for strength to bear the pressure of financial responsibilities. Pray for God’s blessings on your church that you might be the head and not the tail. Pray that the church’s stewardship over money would glorify God and help establish the work of God in your city.
Be assured that praying for your pastor is both necessary and biblical. It is also a source of blessing in your own life, if you labor and faint not. God Himself will reward your labor of love as you follow the biblical mandate to support leadership.
Praying for Church Staff
The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.
How can I pray for our staff during the week?
Sunday: Rest and strength - Psalm 23
Monday: Intimacy with God - 2 Corinthians 13:14
Tuesday: Family - Ephesians 4:32
Wednesday: Ministry effectiveness - Ephesians 4:11-13
Thursday: Obedience to God - Luke 9:23-24
Friday: Leadership - Romans 12:6-8
Saturday: Wisdom - James 1:5
How can I pray for our church?
- That people would sense the glory of God
- That we would follow the Word of God
- That we would be united in the love of God
- That we would go forth in the mission of God
- That we would experience the joy of God
How can I pray during the service?
- Pray for believers to experience true worship.
- Pray for an outpouring of God’s glory in His church as people acknowledge Him, not only with their lips but also with their lives.
- Ask God for a spirit of worship to manifest itself in our church.
- Pray for revival in our church and in our land.
- Pray that believers will know, accept, and obey the Word of God.
- Pray that God’s Word would be preached continually in our church.
- Pray for spiritual understanding and discernment among the people.
- Ask God for grace to be obedient to His Word.
- Pray for unity in the church.
- Pray for humility among the church’s leaders and body of believers.
- Pray that a spirit of humility and repentance will rise up among all believers.
- Ask to break down walls of pride in our lives
- Pray for souls to be won to Christ.
- Ask God to give our church a vision for reaching the lost.
- Pray for laborers for the harvest – for believers who will consistently share their faith.
- Pray that we would reach out to the lost in our community.
- Pray for joy in the hearts and lives of believers.
- Ask God to reveal our church’s potential to our leaders and the people.
- Ask God to bring joy to our leaders and the people of the church as we walk in obedience to Him.
The man who mobilizes the church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelism in history. – Andrew Murray
How to Pray for Your Local Church
The uplifting and refreshing presence of God is upon a church where God’s people have humbled themselves to pray!
When we were born again, we were born into a family—our church family (Ephesians 3:15, John 1:12-13). God purposed this inter-relationship for our spiritual good. We need each other in united prayer and prayer warfare.
(see Acts 2:42 and James 5:16)
Every New Testament local church was exhorted to pray without ceasing.
Prayer with fasting is practiced. Consider:
- The church at Ephesus was exhorted to pray always (Ephesians 6:18).
- The church at Thessalonica was told to “Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17).
- The church at Rome was admonished to “be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
- The church at Colosse was exhorted to “continue in prayer with thanksgiving steadfastly” (Colossians 4:2).
- The church at Philippi was encouraged to not worry about anything . . . but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made know to God (Philippians 4:6).
- The Hebrews were urged to “continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God” (Hebrews 13:15).
Around A.D. 400, Chrysotom wrote, “What we cannot obtain by solitary prayer . . . we may by cooperative prayer.”
The uplifting and refreshing presence of God is upon a church where God’s people have humbled themselves to pray! By prayer we are talking about more than a few minutes here and there. We speak of focused prayer …groanings . . . cries from the heart . . . fasting . . . seeking God’s face (Romans 8:26).
We are keenly aware of spiritual forces at work in the congregation and also outside the church. Preaching, teaching, lecturing, discipling—without prayer—have little impact against these powers (Zechariah 4:6).
Every local church must be united in unceasing, intercessory, concentrated, prevailing prayer! There is unusual power in united prayer. Jesus said, “My house shall be called the house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13).
When you pray for your local church, pray for:
1. YOUR PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY
- Pray that God would anoint your pastor and his wife to be the godly leaders that the local church needs (I John 2:27).
- Pray that they would be strengthened physically and that their financial needs would be met (Phillippians 4:19).
- Pray that they would have wisdom in rearing their own children in the fear of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
2. SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
- Pray that God would anoint and inspire the teachers to reach and teach the children on their level.
- Pray that the children’s hearts would be tender to the Lord and that they would receive the Holy Ghost even in their classrooms (Acts 2:39).
- Pray that the children would lead their unchurched parents to know Christ.
3. HOME BIBLE STUDIES AND OUTREACH MINISTRIES
- Pray that teachers and workers would be sensitive to the needs of those they meet.
- Pray that the hearts of the contacts would be fertile soil for the Word of God to take root and grow. Pray that the entire church would feel the burden to reach their world with the love of Christ and His gospel.
4. YOUTH MINISTRIES
- Pray that the youth staff—the youth pastor, youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, and others—would have genuine love and concern for the youth of the church and city and the wisdom to deal with the manifold problems that face today’s youth.
- Pray that parents and older saints would be examples of righteousness for the youth to follow.
- Pray that the youth would learn to put God first in their lives (Matthew 6:33).
5. MUSIC MINISTRIES
- Pray that those involved in the music ministry would be divinely anointed as they play and sing unto the Lord.
- Pray that they would be sensitive to the move of the Spirit and complement the ministry of the Word.
- Pray that they, as more public examples of the church, would walk circumspectly before the Lord (Ephesians 5:15).
6. PRAYER MINISTRIES
- Pray for the leaders of the prayer ministry to be strengthened physically and spiritually—intercession is taxing both to the body and spirit.
- Pray that they would be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and to the needs of the church.
- Pray that others would have a burden to join the prayer ministry.
7. MEDIA MINISTRIES
- Pray that the media ministries of the church would be tools of evangelism and encouragement.
- Pray that God would anoint the hearts of those that hear the tapes and see the videos to be receptive to the Word of God.
- Praying for your local church is not only an obligation, it is a wonderful privilege. Heaven and hell respond to those who pray (II Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 16:18). Your prayers can bring revival, healing, reconciliation, and salvation.
Please pray for your local church.
How to Pray for the Lost
We can win anyone for whom God gives us a burden. If God burdens our heart for a soul it is evident that He intends to save that soul. It is also evident that He desires to work through us as the human vessel since He gave us the burden. Many times the soul is actually won in prayer. It is one thing to pray, it is another thing to “pray right”. Here are seven pointers for praying for the lost to be saved:
Pray Believingly
Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Prayer is the key, but faith unlocks the door. We must pray believing that God is working in the sinner’s heart and preparing him for our visit.
Pray Realizing That With God All Things Are Possible
Mark 10:27 “And Jesus looking upon them saith, with men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Recognize God in the picture, for nothing is too hard for God. In our praying most of us never get beyond human limitations and boundaries. We whittle God down to our own size and power. We are like the woman who said, “It’s no use to talk to my husband. He won’t listen to me.”
Pray Asking the Soul to Be Saved For God’s Glory
John 14:13 “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
We should not pray for a soul to be saved that they may be a better husband or wife. This is selfish praying. We should pray for souls to be saved so they will no longer dishonor God in their sins. Our great concern should be that they will stop trampling over the precious blood of Christ and stop spurning God’s love. This should be the real motive in soul winning rather than to put another “notch” on our belt, or add a few more figures to our report.
Pray Beseeching God to Awaken Them
Matthew 13:13, 15 “because they seeing, see not, and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand. For this people’s heart is become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed . . . “
Every sinner needs the Holy Spirit to reveal his sinful condition. Then Christ will be revealed to the heart. We should pray that the Holy Spirit will “quicken” their conscience, plow up their heart, and ring conviction in their soul. We should pray that God will give them “hearing ears” and “believing hearts.” Pray that God shall open their understanding.
Pray Claiming That Soul Which the Blood of Christ Has Purchased
II Timothy 2:26 “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
In our sense every soul is God’s purchased possession, though still held by Satan through unbelief. We must through prayer claim and take for God that which is rightfully His. This is praying on the ground of redemption.
Pray Claiming the Tearing Down Of Satan’s Strongholds in That Soul
II Corinthians 10:4 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”
The Devil has built up lies, false doctrine, stumbling blocks and many other strongholds in the minds of the unsaved to keep them from receiving Christ. He has them blinded lest the light of the glorious gospel should shine unto them. We must through prayer rebuke the Devil and claim the tearing down of his lies and warped ideas that are keeping the sinner from trusting Christ as Savior. We must exercise our authority in Christ.
Pray Perseveringly
Luke 18:7 “shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”
Perseverance is “not giving up.” We persevere not to persuade God, but because of the enemy. In persistent intercession we are pushing back the forces of evil. We are getting the Devil off of God’s territory. Daniel prayed for three weeks before he received his answer from God, though the Scripture says that God answered his prayer on the first day. Daniel spent three weeks wrestling with the forces of evil and hanging on to God in order that he might receive his “package.”
Now go pray for that lost soul that God has laid on your heart, claiming these truths.
How to Pray for Families
Families are the building blocks of society and the church. We cannot afford to sit idly by and allow Satan to destroy our families.
When Sanballat heard that Nehemiah was building the walls of Jerusalem, he was filled with great wrath and conspired to fight against him. Today when we seek to build godly homes, the enemy continually seeks to hinder. Our only hope is to follow Nehemiah’s example: “Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God and set a watch against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:9). The determined Israelites held in one hand a tool with which to build and in the other hand a weapon to fight the enemy. Only vigilant, intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare will lead us to victory for our families. Let us take courage from Nehemiah’s advice: Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great . . . and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses . . . . our God shall fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:14, 20).
Pray for husbands to:
1. Be spiritual leaders in their homes (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). It is difficult for a woman and children to find their proper place in the divine scheme for the family when the father is out of his place. He is designed to be the spiritual head of the family. When he fails to be the spiritual leader, his wife is unfairly forced to assume this role. Pray that the husband’s love and devotion to God and his steadfast faithfulness will set the example for his family to follow.
2. Love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). Love is not a gushy feeling of the moment. Love is commitment—through the good times and bad. Pray that the husband’s love for his wife would be as pure and eternal as Christ’s love for the church. Raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers teach children how to bait hooks and how to drive the family automobile. However, the greatest lesson they can teach their children is to fear the Lord and to walk humbly before Him. Pray that fathers would teach Christian principles to their children by precept and example.
Pray for wives to:
1. Seek God and love His word supremely (Matthew 6:33). Just as diet helps to determine our physical health, what we read, watch, and listen help to determine our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Pray that the wife’s love for the Word would keep her thoughts pure and holy.
2. Be subject to their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:24). Eve was created to be a helper suitable for Adam. Although she was not inferior to him, she was to follow his leadership. Pray that the wife would have a godly respect for her husband.
3. Teach their children to have faith in God (II Timothy 1:5). The mother is a child’s first teacher. She instills many of her values subjectively through her priorities and actions. Pray that the mother’s example of holiness and dedication would transmit her faith in God to her child.
4. Be content and not given to covetousness (Hebrews 13:5). Modern advertising and the values of a new generation have made what once was luxuries now seem necessities. In such an environment it is easy for the wife to want what the family cannot afford and put undue pressure on her husband and family. Pray that she would be thankful for the bounty that God has already provided.
Pray for children to:
1. Become sensitive and responsive to God at an early age (I Samuel 3:1-14). Samuel’s childhood and youth show that children can be sensitive and responsive to God at an early age. Pray that they would keep their hearts attuned to God. Pray that parents would have the wisdom to recognize their children’s sensitivity and guide them.
2. Be obedient to parents (Epesians 6:1). The fifth commandment is the only one with a promise. Pray that the parents would have the wisdom to discipline their children properly (Ephesians 6:4). Pray that the children would receive the discipline as an act of love (Hebrews 12:5-8).
3. Heed their parents’ godly teaching and example (Proverbs 1:8). Although parents are still the greatest influence in a child’s life, school, media, and friends are also sources of influence. Pray that children would be more swayed by the example of their godly parents and the teachings of the Word of God than by peer pressure or worldly environment.
4. Follow Christ’s example and grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). Luke wrote that Jesus was subject to Mary and Joseph and that He grew mentally (wisdom), physically (stature), spiritually (God), and socially (man). It is God’s will that our children be well-rounded individuals. Pray that they would develop in each of these areas as they grow. Families are the building blocks of society and the church. We cannot afford to sit idly by and allow Satan to destroy our families. We must be vigilant and pray for our families to be protected from evil and to be a place of safety. As Nehemiah built the walls of Jerusalem, so can we build walls of prayer and faith around our families. We must do it for Jesus’ sake and our own.
How to Pray for the Elderly
5 Prayers for Elderly People in Your Church
1. Father, cover the elderly people in the church with Your love and protection. Amen.
2. God, may we always remember to include elderly people in conversations and activities. They have wisdom and experiences to share. Amen.
3. God, I pray for the elderly who are homebound and unable to attend church in person. May they be able to worship through technology. Amen.
4. Abba Father, please be with the elderly who are sick. They need Your healing, strength and comfort. Remind them of Your love. Amen.
5. Lord, help everyone to remember that older people were young, too. Each person is created by God. Amen.
5 Scriptures the Elderly in Your Church
1. “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” (
Psalm 71:9)
2. “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” (Psalm 71:18)
3. “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:32)
4. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
5. “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding..” (Proverbs 3:13)
How to Pray for Youth
Young people are our most valuable natural resource. Their energy, creativity, and mission-mindedness are needed if the church is going to realize its potential and perpetuate the apostolic message. This energy must be directed constructively, which can only be done by seeking God. Satan wants to turn youthful energy into a negative, destructive force. We must, however, challenge his desire through focused intercession. As you pray for our youth, pray in these area:
1. An abiding, personal relationship with Christ.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Pray that youth would . . .
- Committ their lives to Christ, be filled with His Spirit, and be baptized in His name.
- Recognize that His name is above every name (Acts 4:12) and confess by a life fully submitted to divine authority that He is Lord of all (Philippians 2:11).
- Learn to communicate with Christ and learn to depend on Him for everything.
- Understand the depth of God’s love for them (I John 3:1).
- Base their self-esteem and identity in Christ and not the standards of the world.
- Know who they are, what they have in Christ, and what they can do through Him (Colossians 1:27). “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: . . . In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; . . . In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your slavation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:4, 7, 11-14).
- Be blessed with the joy that comes from intimately knowing Christ and walking with Him.
- Be filled so completely with the joy of the Lord that they would not pursue worldly pleasure (Romans 14:17; Psalm 16:11; Philippians 4:4;Nehemiah 8:10).
2. Moral purity
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:7-10).
Pray that youth would . . .
- Develop the strength of character to remain morally pure in this permissive society.
- Make right decisions about sex, drugs, and worldly pleasures. Their only true safety is abstinence.
- Defeat negative peer pressure and learn to make the right choices.
- Have a pure heart.
- Not just keep a set of rules, but desire to please God in all they do.
- Be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I have every false way. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple . . . Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. They word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever: Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 119:127-130, 159-162).
- That the Word of God would be instilled in their hearts and that they would choose the obedience of hating sin and loving His holiness.
3. Values and Relationships
Pray that youth would . . .
- Retain the values that have made our nations and churches great. They must learn to live by the biblical principles of integrity and honesty—to be true, especially in relationships. Without these proper values, they cannot develop friendships and marriages that will last a lifetime (Titus 2:11-14).
- Develop friendships based on the drawing of the Holy Spirit to righteous companions.
- Pray that God would give them friends who are true, wholesome, and mutually encouraging.
- Pray that they would have the wisdom to choose relationships that would honor God (Psalm 119:63; John 15:13-14).
- Set their thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8; John 8:32; Romans 12:2).
4. Mission-mindedness
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).
Pray that youth would . . .
- Accept their divine mission in life. They were born again to be a witness for Jesus Christ and to disciple others (Acts 1:8).
- Become spiritual leaders and boldly; courageously stand up for what they believe and cherish (I Timothy 4:12).
- Become the catalyst for revival in their churches, schools, and communities and accept roles of responsibility in these areas. They must show others that one can live for God in this ungodly world.
- Take their place in God’s kingdom.
How to Pray for Children
“Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).
A burdened heart . . . arising in the night . . .crying out to God . . . uplifted hands . . . flowing tears . . .desperation. This is the picture in Lamentations 2. It is the “daughters of Zion,” the church, pleading with God for their young children swooning (dying), fainting because of hunger (both spiritual and natural) in the street (Lamentations 2:11).
Too often young children are considered insignificant and unimportant when it comes to spiritual matters. When this nonchalant attitude toward young children exists, they are neglected in prayer. If we choose to follow the example of Jesus, children will be an extremely vital part of our prayers. Jesus pressed little children and infants close to His heart. He prayed for them and blessed them. When He was criticized for this action, He was moved with indignation and emphatically declared, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). (Also see Luke 18:15-18.) When religious leaders of Jesus’ day observed the wonderful things Jesus did and the children crying in the Temple, “Hosanna to the son of David,” they were irate and demanded of Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” Jesus answered, “Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (Matthew 21:15-17). (Also see Psalm 8:2.)
Pray for the children of the world. Satanic influence begins, in too many cases, before the birth of a child. Drug- addicted, sin-laden, idol-worshiping parents are oblivious to the effects their lifestyle perpetuates upon their offspring. Look for news reports about places and people whose lives are bound with idolatry and other ungodly practices. Pray for the innocent children brought into these situations. Pray for the children who live in these nations. Focus on the troubles of those nations and pray accordingly. Never give up praying for the Lord to send laborers into these places to bring the good news of the power of God to deliver from sin and fill these lost souls with His Holy Spirit.
Who will put forth the time and effort to maximize instead of minimizing the influence God will have upon a child’s life if prayer is made for them?
Along with this prayer, pray for the children around the world who are mistreated, abused, and erroneously led into false teachings that will cause their souls to be lost in eternity unless they are reached with the truth.
Pray for your children and your friend’s children. Your own children and those of your friends are most familiar to you. These children are the closest to you. You know many of their needs. In many cases you are aware of their spiritual standing with God. Pray for their salvation. Pray that God will strengthen their weaknesses in spiritual things. Pray for them to use their talents and gifts for the glory of God and his kingdom.
Pray for your neighborhood children. Every neighborhood has its own set of problems. Instead of complaining, pray! Prayer will make a difference! Pray for the unruly child in your neighborhood. Pray for the neighborhood bully. He may only need to know somebody loves him and is praying for him. Pray for all the children in your community that they will be blessed of the Lord. Jesus loves them no matter what home they have and no matter how sinful and mischievous they may be. As we pray, we must also love them as Jesus loves them.
Pray for children of leaders. There is a furious attack from the devil upon leadership in the end time. The enemy knows he can cause within leaders frustration, confusion, and often despair when he attacks their children. Satan is no gentleman. He is ruthless. He barges in, if he possibly can, and wreaks havoc in children’s lives. He has no care just because they are innocent children. His vicious venom is prepared to contaminate the children of leaders. Pray for your church leaders’ children—the minister’s children, the Sunday school teacher’s children and all other leadership’s children. Pray for your local, state, and national leaders’ children. You may sense a special anointing when you pray for leaders’ children. If this is so, possibly God has called you for special intercession in this area.
Search until you can find the names of all the children for whom you are praying. Perhaps it will be possible to find some of their most crucial needs. Focus your praying. Pray specifically for these children by name and for their individual needs. In your spirit, hold them close as you would hold your own children and love them with your heart!
The prayers of the righteous avail much! Thousand of tons of snow have been known to thunder down a mountainside because one skier shouted a few words. The snow was ready to move. It only needed a small disturbance.
So it is with prayer when it moves the Holy Spirit into action. A few words, focused, fervently and fitly spoken in prayer with faith in the name of Jesus, can set off an avalanche of God’s power in the lives of children throughout the world.
Pray for children.