6 Prayers for a Hedge of Protection around Pastors

Knowing that the immense stress of the job is the number one reason pastors consider quitting the pastorate, it’s critical for the Lord to intervene and provide His strength. Stress affects a person emotionally and mentally and makes them more susceptible to sickness.

Prayer prompt: Lord, in Your mercy and grace, please run interference when the stresses of life pile up and when the enemy attempts to stir up stress through various means. Please help the pastor to know when, how, and to whom to delegate responsibilities so that stress is reduced, and please grant Your supernatural wisdom as needed. Please also provide for the pastor’s every need according to Your riches and glory by Christ Jesus.

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Feelings of loneliness and isolation can interfere with a godly focus. In addition, these feelings can be debilitating, paving the way to clinical depression and other negative emotions, as well as wrong relationships. These struggles can also cause an inability to focus on developing sermon material.  

Prayer prompt: Lord, please help the pastor to sense Your unconditional, undying love when the enemy’s fiery darts of loneliness and isolation attempt to misdirect his focus. Please bring godly friends into the pastor’s life and into the life of the pastor’s family who can be an encouragement, an inspiration, and trustworthy companions.

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Hebrews 4:12 tells the reader that not only is the Word of God living and powerful, but it’s also sharper than any two-edged sword. The truths in God’s Word are needed more today than ever. However, there has been so much political polarization, which has grown in intensity, that trying to have a discussion about anything categorized as controversial, whether political or religious, is nearly impossible. In some cases, it has destroyed friendships and family relationships. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, please let Your Holy Spirit go before the pastor and prepare hearts to receive what the pastor has to say before it’s said. Just as You taught the mouth of Moses what to say, please also help the pastor in this way, and help this leader to rest in the promises of Your Word and be faithful when speaking.

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When people say or do unhelpful or even cruel things, it’s typically not easy to respond kindly. That kind of self-control comes from the Holy Spirit. Pastors might get tested on this more rigorously than most people just because of who they are.

Prayer prompt: Lord, please let Your peace that passes understanding rule in the heart and mind of the pastor, and provide the pastor with Your supernatural ability to return blessings for evil. Help the pastor to leave vengeance to You, even as You prepare a table before him in the presence of his enemies, pour out Your anointing on him in a more powerful way, and cause his cup to run over with Your blessings. 

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The vicious lies of the enemy are like fiery darts that can cause people to fear, even a pastor. These darts may also be an attack on a person’s confidence or conjure up other negative emotions that hinder faith. Perhaps pastors find themselves in wrestling matches with the enemy and his fiery darts more frequently than others because of the work to which God has called them. Taking a moment every once in a while to let the pastor know that his messages are meaningful and his prayers are appreciated can be a real encouragement to him. 

Prayer prompt: Lord, please help the pastor to keep his eyes firmly fixed on You, especially when the enemy is roaring out his lies and threats. I ask that You muzzle that old liar and cause him to fall into his own traps that he has set for the pastor, even as You cause the pastor to soar on wings like eagles, giving him Your supernatural power to run and not grow weary, to walk and not faint.

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Paul compares the Word of God to a spiritual sword. Back then, a sword was the most powerful weapon an individual could own. It was an offensive weapon, as opposed to the shield, which would be more defensive and designed to protect. An offensive weapon is intended to do damage. When the enemy tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus fought back with the Scripture, and the enemy eventually left Him (Matthew 4:1-11). Whatever scriptures a person has hidden in their heart (memorized) are like weapons to grab a hold of and fire back at the enemy when he wants to kill, steal, and destroy.

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank You for the blessing of Your Word. Please impart Your supernatural wisdom and skill to the pastor, that the pastor would know the best way to wield the Word in whatever circumstances Your Spirit leads him into.

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