By CTA—Christ to All
Editor’s note: Much of the 31 days of Pastor Appreciation is adapted from Praying for My Pastor Weeklong Prayer Activity—available as a free download.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Pastors are some of the most important people in our lives—they feed us God’s Word, console us in times of pain, and offer us encouragement as we walk in the Lord. For each day of October, here are prayers, Scriptures and tips to appreciate your pastor.
- “Obey your leaders . . . for they are keeping watch over your souls” (Hebrews 13:17 ESV).
- God, pour out blessings of strength and physical health on my pastor’s life.
- “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching” (1 Timothy 5:17 ESV).
- Lord, give my pastor wisdom to value what is most precious to you.
- Pastor Appreciation tip: Help with tasks that need completing but that no one has volunteered to do.
- God gave pastors to equip YOU for the work of ministry. (See Ephesians 4:11–12.)
- “Remember your leaders. . . . Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7 ESV).
- Appreciation tip: Buy your pastor a gift certificate to a Christian bookstore or online Christian retailer.
- Lord, enable my pastor(s) to experience your abundant joy and peace as they serve you.
- Appreciation tip: Surprise your pastor with a fruit basket or restaurant gift card.
- Pray over your pastor: “I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health” (3 John 2 ESV).
- “[Be] imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12 ESV).
- Pastors imitate Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as they shepherd us in our spiritual walk. (See 1 Peter 2:25.)
- Almighty God, protect my pastor from the attacks of the Enemy.
- Lord, instruct the speech of all who lead in my church that they may speak and lead with graciousness.
- “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches” (Galatians 6:6 ESV).
- Lord, allow the preaching of your Word to be effective and to change lives.
- Appreciation tip: Do an anonymous act of service for your church staff.
- God, help my pastor(s) to love people. May our church also love them.
- Pray over your pastor: “The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life” (Psalm 121:7 ESV).
- “Be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5 ESV).
- Pray over your pastor: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV).
- Appreciation tip: Offer to wash your pastor’s vehicle on a regular basis.
- “In an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14 ESV).
- Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. Give my pastor rest in your green pastures.
- “Respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord. . . . Esteem them very highly in love” (1 Thess. 5:12–13 ESV).
- Lord, bless my pastor with true friends in the faith. May they be one in heart and mind, encouraging each other.
- Appreciation tip: Gather notes of encouragement from your congregation and hand deliver them to your pastor.
- “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge” (Jeremiah 3:15 ESV).
- Lord, direct my pastor today in bringing the Good News to the hearts of many.
- “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith” (2 Timothy 3:10 ESV).
