Yeah, I guess some people still think of me as Pastor Gary, so I’ll go with that here.

In my early 30’s, I had a friend at church who would always ask how he could pray for me. He encouraged me to ask for prayer for me as a pastor and for my family and for the church. He wanted to start prayer meetings. He believed that God actually moves and responds and shows off His power and love when people pray.

Even though I knew he was right, I was hesitant to use my Pastor position to ask for people to pray for me. Maybe it felt selfish? Maybe I wasn’t ready to share personal prayer needs? Maybe we already had enough to pray about? Maybe I didn’t want the church to focus on the Senior Pastor?

Or maybe I needed prayer more than I realized. More than I was willing to admit. More than I had ever “needed” prayer.

When people asked, “Pastor Gary, how can we pray for you?” – I may (or may not) have had a timely prayer need to share with them.

But here’s what I always had… reasons I – and every pastor – need your prayers…

• Pastors need prayer because they are sharing a life-transforming message – the Gospel! (Colossians 4:2-6).
• Pastors need prayer because they are human and carry difficult pain at times! (Psalm 42-43)
• Pastors need prayer because God’s “enemy” is often out to destroy them! (1 Peter 5:8)
• Pastors need prayer because they face all kinds of challenges in life! (Romans 15:30-32).
• Pastors need prayer because they are called to love and live “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).
• Pastors need prayer because they strive to Love God and Love People more and more! (Matthew 22:37-40).
• Pastors need prayer because they carry emotional burdens for other people and the church! (2 Corinthians 11:28).
• Pastors need prayer because they are trying to do good and avoid evil! (Romans 7).

Yeah, we could come up with a hundred reasons to pray for our pastors – and we should!

Looking back on it, I wish I had given my congregation a framework or strategy of praying for me – and for every other pastor we could think of. Pastors in different roles at our church (and their families). Pastors of different churches in our community (and their families). Pastors who we know are facing unique problems, tragedies, or issues in their communities.

As I type, think, and pray this through… I’m sure we could come up with a thousand reasons and ways to pray for pastors.

For now, it’s enough to just start doing it.

“Father, thank you for my pastor and for the way he opens his heart and life to our church. And to our community. God, I pray that you would protect him and his family. I know they’ve been going through a lot lately, and their family has been through some tough things this year. I pray that you would give them strength, healing, encouragement, joy, and energy. Please keep them from harm and from division and from spiritual discouragement. Let them know that they aren’t alone. Please let your Spirit and your love fill them today, Father. I’m so glad you’ve brought him and his family into my life and into our church and community. Lord, would you protect them from temptation, burnout, division, and would you fill them with passion for you, love for each other and for our church, and we ask that our Pastor would continue to live and preach and lead out of a “full tank” of your presence in his life!”

Something like that – just start praying for your pastor, and make a note to do it at least once a week!