Your pastor needs your prayers. I’ve taken a prayer from The Valley of Vision and edited it so that it is not a prayer for a pastor to pray for himself, but rather for church members to pray for their pastor. I pray that this prayer is beneficial for you and I know that it will be a blessing to your pastor if you would regularly pray this prayer or one like it on his behalf.
O MY LORD,
Let not my pastor’s ministry be approved only by men,
or merely win the esteem and affections
of people;
But do the work of grace in our hearts,
call sinners, seal and edify the saved,
and command eternal blessings on our souls.
Save him from self-opinion and self-seeking;
Water the hearts of we who hear your Word,
that seed sown his weakness may be raised
in power;
Cause him and those we who hear him
to behold you here in the light of special faith,
and hereafter in the blaze of endless glory;
Make every one of his sermons a means of grace to himself as well as others,
and help him to experience the power
of your dying love,
for your blood is balm,
your presence bliss,
your smile heaven,
your cross the place where truth
and mercy meet.
Look upon the doubts and discouragements
of his ministry
and keep him from self-importance;
Give him pardon for his many sins, omissions,
and infirmities,
as a man, and as a minister;
Command your blessing on his weak,
labours,
and on the message of salvation given;
Stay with your people,
and may your presence be our portion
and his.
when he preaches to others let not his words
be merely elegant and masterly,
his reasoning polished and refined,
his performance powerless and tasteless,
but may he exalt you and humble sinners.
O Lord of power and grace,
all hearts are in your hands,
all events at your disposal,
Set the seal of your almighty will
upon his ministry this day as he prepares
and preaches your word.
