Our pastors need prayer right now. Like everyone else, they are navigating the unexpected challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Including having to close their church doors. Daily, they face difficult decisions, “How long will we keep the church doors shut?” “How do we communicate during this time?” “How can we continue to meet the spiritual needs of our congregants?” There are financial burdens, ministry obligations, and competing church opinions.

Yet there is no better time than now to share the gospel of Jesus!

As people battle fear and anxiety, grieve loss, and risk illness daily, the church is uniquely positioned to step in and offer hope. More people are turning to the Bible and online worship services for encouragement. In this unique moment in our history, the church can shine the light of Jesus. And our pastors need our prayers to steward this opportunity for a massive spiritual harvest.

Will you pray for them?

Here are 8 ways to pray for pastors. Pray for:

1. Deep encounters with Jesus. Pray for them to encounter the beauty of Jesus like they’ve never experienced before. To lay everything down and seek his heart for what is to come.
2. Wisdom and revelation. Pray that they will have eyes to see and ears to hear what God is saying.
3. Heaven’s blueprints. Pray for greater clarity and to receive new strategies for this era. Pray that they step into deeper realms of creativity and innovation.
4. God’s grace. Pray for God’s help as they navigate this new world of praying for the sick, grieving with the hurting, and conducting funerals in a time of social distancing. Also pray God’s grace for their families and church staff as they support them.
5. Strength and courage. Pray that they respond to this moment with courage and not fear. Pray for the courage to surrender to the new move of the spirit that is upon the church.
6. Financial provision. Pray that God would provide for the needs of all churches especially those in marginalized, poorer communities around the world.
7. A spirit of encouragement. Pray that pastors would uplift their clergy and laypeople through edification as they navigate the unknown.
8. Their families. Ask God to protect their spouses, children, and loves ones physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Pray against any attacks of the enemy.