The Pastor and Prayer – 6 Principles to Keep in Mind
If a spiritual discipline is lacking in pastors today, it would surely be prayer. I speak in a general sense, of course, but many of my pastoral colleagues have admitted they often neglect prayer in their life and ministry. I have done the same.
As we look back on the annals of history, we see a common theme. Jesus prayed. The early disciples prayed. In over 2000 years of church history, the saints of old prayed. It is safe to say that every person used mightily of God prayed. Try to find an exception to this rule. You won’t.
Pastors and church leaders know this. We teach and give credence to the power of prayer. And yet we often neglect this critical discipline. If we are going to experience church revitalization (something we all long for), it must start with a renewed emphasis on prayer.
Here are six principles for pastors related to prayer.
1. Prayer is your most important work (Acts 6:4)
The pastor’s task list is not small. Plenty of responsibilities keep the average pastor hopping. But the pastor should never view prayer as just another thing to fit into his busy schedule. It comes down to priorities.
As the early church grew rapidly and the apostles felt the burden, they found a solution by appointing seven deacons to serve and help carry the load. The apostles, in turn, would devote themselves “to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).
Prayer and Bible study are a pastor’s two non-negotiable priorities. Set aside time each week where you are locked in your study, alone with God, seeking His face (Psalm 27:8). Strive to live out the command to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
2. Start your day in prayer
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). This was Jesus’ regular habit. It is not just a model but the model for pastors.
If you neglect devotional and prayer time first thing in the morning, it will be evident later in the day. Jesus’ dynamic prayer life energized and empowered his preaching ministry (Mark 1:38-39). If you want to be your best for the Lord, prayer is never something to short-change.
John Wesley was famous for rising at 4 or 5 in the morning for prayer. It is precisely because of Wesley’s disciplined prayer life that he could do much for the Lord. Testimonies much like this fill Church history.
While I am not suggesting you should get up at 4 or 5 a.m., I am suggesting you start the day in prayer. You may consider getting up 15 minutes earlier than you currently do to be with the Lord.
3. Emphasize corporate prayer (Acts 12:12)
Some churches still have the traditional Wednesday night prayer service, but there are many ways of facilitating prayer. I know of one large church with eight different corporate prayer times throughout the week. In that church, if someone wants to pray with other believers, they will find a time that works no matter how busy they are.
Pastors should emphasize the value of individual (private) prayer. However, they should balance that with an emphasis on corporate prayer. It is powerful when God’s people come together to call upon His Name!
When Charles Spurgeon hosted visitors to the Metropolitan Tabernacle, he often took them down to the church basement, which housed the prayer room. He would then declare, “Here is the powerhouse of this church.”
4. Pray “specific” prayers
The more specific the prayer, the better. Rather than, “Lord, I pray for the salvation of souls in Philadelphia,” pray, “Lord, please save my neighbors, John and Sally Smith.” It is not wrong to pray in a general sense, but when prayer is more targeted and specific, it is much easier to see how God answers those prayers.
God saves people all the time, all over the world. It’s just that you don’t see it most of the time. But when God saves your neighbors down the street, it’s exciting! After praying for them, you can give Him praise and glory.
Pastor, as you pray alone with your Heavenly Father, aim to pray specific prayers. As He answers those prayers (I am confident He will in His own time and way), celebrate and give thanks for God’s grace and mercy in your life. Along with that, teach your flock to pray specific prayers. It won’t be long before they see that God is in the business of answering prayer (Matthew 7:7-8, John 5:14-15).
5. Pray the prayers of the Bible
God has given His people a prayer book. We call it the Bible. Though there are many literary genres in the Bible, they all contain prayers.
There are times, even as pastors, when we don’t know how to pray or what to pray. Don’t despair – go to the Word. The book of Psalms is filled with prayers. The prayers of Paul are pure gold. The prayers of Jesus (Luke 11:1-4, John 17) instruct and model what true prayer is.
As we immerse ourselves in the prayers of the Bible, our prayers naturally begin to mirror them. Prayer is not something we ever master. Rather, we should always see ourselves in the school of prayer.
Whether in big groups or small, be sure to utilize the prayers of the Bible. As you draw from the treasury of Scripture, it will enrich your prayers and provide a model for church members that’s second to none.
6. Fill your home with prayer
One of the most common things the pastor’s family should hear him say is, “Let’s pray.” Not just at mealtime, but all the time. Start the day in prayer; end the day in prayer. Whenever you have times of family worship, make prayer a central feature. Before you take a trip somewhere, start in prayer.
Prayer is the Christian’s lifeline. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Pastor, do you believe this? Is prayer normal and natural for you? Is it modeled in your home?
Puritan Thomas Brooks once said, “A family without prayer is like a house without a roof, open and exposed to all the storms.” Don’t leave home without covering your family in prayer each morning. Be sure to challenge all the husbands and fathers in your church to do the same.
Finally, strive to foster a culture of prayer within your church. A church that does not pray cannot rightly be called a church. As an under-shepherd, lead your people to the One who truly satisfies the thirst of their souls, that they might call upon His Name (Romans 10:13).
Remember that as a “man of God” (1 Timothy 6:11), you must be with God. Prayer is, in essence, the overflow of a heart that burns for God. You desire God and, therefore, must commune with God. It follows that prayer is not a secondary, “get to it if I can” kind of thing. It is your main business. Never neglect it.
©2023 Daniel Stegeman. Used with permission.
About The Author

Daniel Stegeman
Daniel Stegeman serves as pastor of Pine Glen Alliance Church in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He blogs at pastoral-theology.com and is the author of Help! I Want to Be a Loving Husband.