Praying necessary prayers

 

Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed. And please pray for me. Pray that truth will be with me before I even open my mouth. Ask the Spirit to guide me while I boldly defend the mystery that is the good news— for which I am an ambassador in chains—so pray that I can bravely pronounce the truth, as I should do. – Ephesians 6:18-20 (VOICE)

Apostle Paul understood that he, as a leader of the church, was in dire need of prayer. He wrote to the church in Ephesus exhorting them not just to pray always and about everything and in every way and to keep on praying feverishly but he also made a plea for them to pray for him.

We seem to think that there’s no need to pray for members of our clergy. Priests, pastors, ministers, vicars, bishops, deacons, apostles and preachers need our prayers. Even the pope is in need of prayer.

Praying necessary prayers for our spiritual leaders is crucial so that, according to Paul, truth will be with them before they even open their mouths, the Holy Spirit will guide them while they boldly defend the mystery that is the Gospel and they bravely pronounce the truth as they should do.

Hold your church’s leaders up before God, giving thanks for them in Jesus’ name.

Pray that divinely directed words will be on their lips and their mouths will not transgress in judgment.

Pray that their hearts remain in God’s hands and they will remain obedient to God’s leading.

Pray for God to bless them and make them a blessing to His people.

Pray for lovingkindness, compassion, mercy and faithfulness to preserve them.

Pray that their ways and actions will always please God.

Pray that they will listen carefully to God’s voice and that your church is elevated by uprightness and is in right standing with God because they take heed.

Pray that if there is anything for which they need to repent, that they will do so without hesitation.

Now declare that your church is established and made secure by righteousness and is stable in the Lord because your leaders are genuine men and women of God.

Beloved, as you pray, mention the names of those for whom you are praying necessary prayers, trusting that what you say will happen.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Praying necessary prayers” ©2026 May 23, 2026