It is God’s will for us to pray for our spiritual leaders. “Brothers and sisters, pray for us”. (1 Thessalonians 5:25 NIV). 

The role of spiritual leaders in our individual lives, community and nation at large cannot be overemphasised. In the Old Testament, vital to Israel’s survival, victories in many wars, possession of the promised land and prosperity was the ministry of spiritual leaders. Israel needed the spiritual counsel, guidance, wisdom and prayers of their priests, kings, etc. to possess the land given to them. (Hosea 12:13) 

In the New Testament, the great commission was carried out through the ministry of the early spiritual leaders and this became the pillar upon which the church was birthed and grew till this day. However, it was not without a price on the lives of some of the apostles; notably was Peter, Paul, James, etc (Acts 6-7). In today’s world, with the present challenge of the end time right before us, there is a stronger need for our spiritual leaders to be constantly supported with prayers from the church. Believe it or not, pastors and ministers of God need prayer just like every other individual member of the body of Christ, especially to enable them to confront the spiritual and moral decadence of our present society. As powerful as Apostle Paul was, he demanded that constant prayer and supplication be made for him so he could open his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20, Psalm 92:10). Because of the sensitive work our spiritual leaders carry out on behalf of the church, many of them and their families are a huge target to Satan and his cohorts, with the intention to strike them, physically, financially and spiritually. “Strike down the Shepard, and the sheep will be scattered and I will turn against the lambs” (Zechariah 13:73b NLT)

In 2022, the advocacy group, ‘Open Door’ said that at least 360 million Christians experienced high levels of persecution and discrimination and this number keeps increasing every year. Globally, many spiritual leaders have lost their ministries and in some cases their lives to attacks against the church. With this in mind, our spiritual leaders need to be held up, constantly in prayers and intercession so that they will not miss it, fall, fail or falter in the face of trials and temptations. 

It is very important for us to pray for our leader because our prayers for them are very significant and they do make a huge difference. The enemy is constantly trying to attract them in various ways (John 10:10). When we pray, the enemy’s schemes cannot stand against the prayers of the saints. Also, God blesses and strengthens the church that always prays for his leaders. 

The following are the Prayer Points for our spiritual leaders. 

• Pray and thank God for the lives and callings of our spiritual leaders. “So Christ himself serve some Apostles; some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11 NIV) 
• Pray and ask God to help every one of our spiritual leaders to follow after God’s own heart.
  “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their King; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will”. (Acts 13:22 KJV) 

• Pray and ask the Lord for more anointing on our leaders and for the spirit of wisdom and leadership be upon them. “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:9 AMP) 
• Pray and ask the Lord to uphold our spiritual leaders with his right hand of righteousness so that they will not fall into sin and temptation in Jesus’ name.
  “For you, Lord have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling”. (Psalm 116:8 NIV) 
• Pray and ask the Lord to grant our leaders utterance and the boldness to declare his counsel and mind at all times and in all things in Jesus’ name.
  “Pray also for me that whenever I speak, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel”. (Ephesians 6:19 NIV) 
• Satan’s prime target is our spiritual leaders. Using our pastor as a point of contact, may we pray that God would build a hedge of protection around his servants and their families, including our elders. May his protection be upon them, their spouses and children. May they be protected from harm, danger, sickness and every attack of the enemy. (Mark 14:27) 
• Pray against the spirit of discouragement and for God to provide men and women like Aaron and Hur who would be great encouragers, stress removers and lifters of the hands of our spiritual leaders, and make them more effective in their ministries, at home and in the church. (Exodus 17:12-14, Galatians 6:9) 
• Pray that God will uphold our spiritual leaders in the path of righteousness and holiness. Ask God to strengthen them in wisdom and grant them grace to be triumphant over trials and temptation. Pray that they will not falter or fall or give into deception in Jesus’ name. (Jude 1:24) 
• Pray for God to meet the physical, material, financial, health and other needs of our leaders so they can function effectively. (Phil 4:19) 
• Pray that God will grant our spiritual leaders keys to the mysteries of his word –  insights and revelation for their spiritual growth and for the edification of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 3:3, 1:17) 
• Pray that God would revive and restore all spiritual leaders who have fallen to temptation and trials due to Satan’s attacks. (Joel 2:25 – 29) 
• Also, ask God to give you the grace and strength to pray always. Remember The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). 
• Finally, thank God and give him all the glory for answered prayers (Psalms 34:4) 

By Pastor Powell Obaro-Esada