Pastors need Prayer Too

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, pray for your pastors.

“Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” -1 Thessalonians 5:25

is the Apostle Paul speaking at the end of a letter to the church in Thessalonica. He had been leading, teaching, correcting, and encouraging them spiritually. And after pouring into them, he turns around and asks them for something simple, pray for him. That shows leadership does not remove the need for covering.

I grew up in church, It was my second home! And because several members of my family are pastors, I knew them beyond their title. I saw their lives behind the scenes. I saw their homes, their families, their struggles, their prayers. I saw what happens when the focus of ministry shifts away from them, and they are living their day to day life. So to me, they were never just pastors on a platform, they were people with real lives.

Pastors are human. They have a calling, yes, and God uses them to lead, to guide, to teach, and to pour into others, but they are still people.

They still go through things. They still need covering. They still need prayer.

I can’t speak as a pastor, only as someone who saw it up close, and I saw both the weight and the blessing.

And what many people don’t understand is that their calling doesn’t remove their humanity, it places a target on them. The enemy sees them. And because of what they are doing, leading people to Christ, guiding others closer to God, walking in obedience to a calling that matters, the enemy goes after them. There is a real spiritual weight that comes with that position, and whether people acknowledge it or not, it is there.

“Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.” -Hebrews 13:18

Pastors are not just leading casually, they pray to live in a way that honors God while leading others. That pressure alone is a reason they need prayer.

“Pray at all times in the Spirit… and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly…” -Ephesians 6:18–19

This comes right after Paul explains the Armor of God, a passage entirely about spiritual warfare. After listing the armor, he says, pray, and then specifically asks them to pray for him so he can speak boldly.

The Hidden Struggles of Pastors

When you see a pastor on stage, preaching with confidence and passion, it’s easy to forget the battles they fight behind closed doors.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against… spiritual forces of evil…” -Ephesians 6:12

“Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” -1 Peter 5:8

And their children sometimes felt the strain of their parents’ spiritual warfare as well. To be honest, I believe I saw that perspective the most because I was a kid. Yet, even as a kid, I was very perceptive . I paid attention. . I’ve seen financial attacks, health issues, tension, and moments where everything felt heavy at once. The weight of constant expectations pressed down hard. I always admired how well It was handled. At least from my perspective. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen the pressure. I’ve seen the conviction on their face when humanity sets In. I have seen the moments where they themselves had to get on their knees and surrender everything back to God. Not because they failed, but because they are human and they need Him just like everyone else.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account…” -Hebrews 13:17

And I’ve also seen something else that people don’t talk about enough. I’ve seen how people watch them. How people expect them to be perfect. How people look closely, forgetting to give grace. How people will reach, piece by piece, trying to find something to tear apart, something to criticize. "A pastor Is letting his kids dress like that?" "A pastor Is letting his kids do that?" That Is only two examples. I’ve seen the weight of constant eyes, constant expectations, constant pressure to be more than human. But they are not God. They are people called by God. And because of that, the glory does not go to them, it goes to God. Always. They are human. Called but human.

“Not many of you should become teachers… for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” -James 3:1

Why Pastors Need Our Intentional Prayer

Pastors carry something spiritual that requires covering, protection, guidance, strength, peace, and clarity. They need people who intercede for them. Not because they’re weak, but because they are carrying something spiritual that requires covering. They need prayer for protection, for guidance, for strength, for peace in their homes, for clarity in their calling. They need people who will intercede for them, not people who will stand back and just expect from them. And when I think about what that support should look like, I think about what happened in Exodus.

In Exodus 17, during a battle against Amalek, Moses stood on a hill with the staff of God in his hand. As long as Moses held his hands up, Israel prevailed. But when his hands grew tired and began to fall, they started losing. So Aaron and Hur came beside him, one on each side, and held up his hands so they would not fall. And because of that support, they won the battle.

That is what our pastors need. Those who stand with them, knowing there is a battle even if they can’t see it. They need people who will hold their arms up when they are tired. Don't walk away when they start to shake, quit criticizing from a distance, understand that there is a battle happening, even if we cannot see it, and choose to stand with them.

The Impact of Standing with Our Pastors

When you pray for your family, when you pray for your friends, when you pray for your own needs, do not forget your pastors. They are leading you. They are pouring into you. They are standing in a position that comes with real spiritual weight. Yes, they are covered by God. Yes, they are under the blood of the Lamb. But your prayers still matter. Your prayers strengthen. Your prayers support. Your prayers help hold their arms up so they can continue doing what they have been called to do. If you have pastors who genuinely love God, who are devoted to Him, who are trying to lead you closer to Christ, why would you not cover them? When we cover our pastors in prayer and support, it changes everything. They feel less alone in their battles. Their strength is renewed, and they can lead with clarity and peace. I’ve seen pastors who, after seasons of heavy spiritual warfare, rise again with fresh passion because their church family stood with them. Supporting pastors also protects the church community. When leaders are strong and covered, the whole body of Christ grows healthier and stronger. It’s a beautiful cycle of love and faithfulness.

“If one member suffers, all suffer together…” -1 Corinthians 12:26

“…He gave… pastors and teachers, to equip the saints…” -Ephesians 4:11–12

What You Can Do Today

If you have pastors who truly love God and are leading you toward Him, cover them. When I say pray for your pastors, I’m NOT repeating something I heard. I’m speaking from what I’ve SEEN, from what I’ve LIVED, from what God has SHOWN me over time. And it’s something I will continue to say again and again. Pray with intention. Stand with them in love and grace.

Be the Aaron and Hur in their lives who hold their arms up when they grow tired.

Your prayers and support can make a difference in their spiritual battles.

They need you more than you realize.

Let’s be their church family too.